Rental Benchmark Overview
2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent
$925$11,100 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026Fair market rent & 30% rule in McDowell County, NC
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: McDowell County, NC
Calculations assume standard housing affordability guidelines where shelter costs consume no more than 30% of gross income, based on full-time employment of 2,080 annual working hours.
| Bedroom Type | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | Min. Annual Income | Hourly Wage (40h/wk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $782 | $9,384 | $31,280 | $15.04/hr |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $790 | $9,480 | $31,600 | $15.19/hr |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark | $925 | $11,100 | $37,000 | $17.79/hr |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,180 | $14,160 | $47,200 | $22.69/hr |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,225 | $14,700 | $49,000 | $23.56/hr |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in McDowell County, NC
What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in McDowell County, NC?
For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in McDowell County, NC is $925 per month ($11,100 per year).
What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in McDowell County, NC?
To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $925/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $17.79 per hour ($37,000/year).
What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in McDowell County, NC?
Official 2026 HUD rents in McDowell County, NC are: Studio: $782/mo, 1-Bedroom: $790/mo, 2-Bedroom: $925/mo, 3-Bedroom: $1,180/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $1,225/mo.
How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in McDowell County, NC?
At the local Census ACS median household income of $57,168/year ($4,764/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 19.4% of monthly income.
How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in McDowell County, NC?
The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $925/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($925 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $37,000 per year.