Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Cleveland County, North Carolina
Cleveland County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,014 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $914 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $19.50 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,014
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 30% less than in North Carolina
- Typical rent
- $914
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 26% less than in North Carolina
- Wage needed
- $19.50
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $40,560 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 50%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 1% more than in North Carolina
Only here
Renting in Cleveland County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
13% of households in Cleveland County have no internet at home, against 7% in North Carolina.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in Cleveland County. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
According to Zillow (ZORI), the typical asking rent in Cleveland County was $1,165 a month in September 2026: 1.5% more than 12 months ago. It is an index of market listings, not a HUD limit. Zillow data
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $854 | $16.42 | $34,160 |
| 1 bedroom | $859 | $16.52 | $34,360 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,014 | $19.50 | $40,560 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,404 | $27.00 | $56,160 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,424 | $27.38 | $56,960 |
HUD area: Cleveland County, NC. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 18 ZIP codes in Cleveland County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,010 in 28020 to $1,100 in 28169. 10 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,014).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 28017 | Cleveland County, NC | $880 | $880 | $1,040 | $1,440 | $1,460 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28020 | Cleveland County, NC | $850 | $860 | $1,010 | $1,400 | $1,420 |
| 28020 | Rutherford County, NC | $850 | $860 | $1,010 | $1,400 | $1,420 |
| 28042 | Cleveland County, NC | $850 | $860 | $1,010 | $1,400 | $1,420 |
| 28073 | Cleveland County, NC | $880 | $880 | $1,040 | $1,440 | $1,460 |
| 28086 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $900 | $910 | $1,050 | $1,430 | $1,510 |
| 28086 | Cleveland County, NC | $900 | $910 | $1,050 | $1,430 | $1,510 |
| 28089 | Cleveland County, NC | $880 | $880 | $1,040 | $1,440 | $1,460 |
| 28090 | Cleveland County, NC | $850 | $870 | $1,010 | $1,390 | $1,560 |
| 28090 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $850 | $870 | $1,010 | $1,390 | $1,560 |
| 28090 | Lincoln County, NC | $850 | $870 | $1,010 | $1,390 | $1,560 |
| 28114 | Cleveland County, NC | $860 | $860 | $1,010 | $1,370 | $1,390 |
| 28114 | Rutherford County, NC | $860 | $860 | $1,010 | $1,370 | $1,390 |
| 28136 | Cleveland County, NC | $880 | $880 | $1,040 | $1,430 | $1,460 |
| 28150 | Cleveland County, NC | $880 | $880 | $1,040 | $1,440 | $1,460 |
| 28150 | Rutherford County, NC | $880 | $880 | $1,040 | $1,440 | $1,460 |
| 28152 | Cleveland County, NC | $880 | $880 | $1,040 | $1,440 | $1,460 |
| 28169 | Cleveland County, NC | $960 | $990 | $1,100 | $1,430 | $1,670 |
- 28017 · Cleveland County, NC $1,040$1,440
- 28020 · Cleveland County, NC $1,010$1,400
- 28020 · Rutherford County, NC $1,010$1,400
- 28042 · Cleveland County, NC $1,010$1,400
- 28073 · Cleveland County, NC $1,040$1,440
- 28086 · Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $1,050$1,430
- 28086 · Cleveland County, NC $1,050$1,430
- 28089 · Cleveland County, NC $1,040$1,440
- 28090 · Cleveland County, NC $1,010$1,390
- 28090 · Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC $1,010$1,390
- 28090 · Lincoln County, NC $1,010$1,390
- 28114 · Cleveland County, NC $1,010$1,370
- 28114 · Rutherford County, NC $1,010$1,370
- 28136 · Cleveland County, NC $1,040$1,430
- 28150 · Cleveland County, NC $1,040$1,440
- 28150 · Rutherford County, NC $1,040$1,440
- 28152 · Cleveland County, NC $1,040$1,440
- 28169 · Cleveland County, NC $1,100$1,430
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Cleveland County, 50% of renter households are in that position; in North Carolina, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
50%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
11,310 households rent in Cleveland County
- Spend half or more of their income 23%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 26%
- Spend less than 30% 50%
Compared with the state and the country
- Cleveland 50%
- North Carolina 49%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Cleveland County
HUD lists 29 properties with homes for low-income households in Cleveland County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 17
- HUD-assisted
- 10
- public housing
- 2
1,574 homes in all; 1,560 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Project Unnamed Public housing 116 N City St, Kings Mountain 28086 250 homes, 249 low-income · Run by Kings Mountain Redevelopment Commission · Average payment: $466 a month · Average wait: 10 months · Homes at several sites · (704) 476-8356
- Northside Heights Public housing 801A Buffalo St, Shelby 28150 172 low-income homes · Run by City of Shelby, Department of Housing · Average payment: $402 a month · Average wait: 17 months · (704) 484-6830
- Laurel Hill Apartments aka Darwood North, LLC HUD-assisted 1526 Eaves Rd, Shelby 28152 100 homes, 94 low-income · For families · (704) 487-1114
- Cambridge Oaks II Tax credit (LIHTC) 107 Kings Oak Cir, Kings Mountain 28086 80 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 48 · 3 bd: 24 · For families
- Kings Row Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 1706 Kings Row Dr, Kings Mountain 28086 56 low-income homes · 2 bd: 40 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2005 · For people with disabilities, families, people experiencing homelessness
- Washington Square Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 397 Seattle St, Shelby 28152 56 low-income homes · 2 bd: 40 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2003 · For families
- Cambridge Oaks Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 107 Cambridge Oaks Cir, Kings Mountain 28086 56 homes, 52 low-income · 2 bd: 40 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2015 · For families
- Cambridge Commons II Tax credit (LIHTC) 1020 S Dekalb St, Shelby 28152 50 low-income homes · In service since 2021 · For families
- Caitlin Station Tax credit (LIHTC) 826 Ivywood Dr, Shelby 28150 48 low-income homes · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 2002 · For families
- Cleveland Ridge Tax credit (LIHTC) 327 Cleveland Ridge Dr, Kings Mountain 28086 48 low-income homes · 2 bd: 32 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2010 · For families
- Kingswood Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 200 Spruce St, Kings Mountain 28086 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 32 · For families
- Lanier Pointe Tax credit (LIHTC) 1030 Sue Ln, Shelby 28152 48 low-income homes · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 2010 · For families
- West Warren Manor HUD-assisted 934 W Warren St, Shelby 28150 48 low-income homes · For older adults · (704) 482-3488
- Cypress Glenn Tax credit (LIHTC) 905 Airport Rd, Shelby 28150 46 low-income homes · 1 bd: 32 · 2 bd: 14 · In service since 2007 · For older adults, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness
- Hickory Creek Apartments HUD-assisted 418 E Warren St, Shelby 28150 46 low-income homes · For older adults · (704) 487-6354
- Battle Forest Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 210 Cleveland Ave, Kings Mountain 28086 46 homes, 45 low-income · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 22 · In service since 2018 · For families
- Kensington Gardens Tax credit (LIHTC) 120 Camden Ct, Shelby 28152 44 low-income homes · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 24 · In service since 2011 · For older adults
- Kings Mountain Manor HUD-assisted 701 Erskine Dr, Kings Mountain 28086 42 low-income homes · For older adults · (704) 734-1990
- Lanier Pointe II Tax credit (LIHTC) 1030 Sue Ln, Shelby 28152 40 low-income homes · 2 bd: 32 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2012 · For families
- Lions Senior Village HUD-assisted 211A N Morgan St, Shelby 28150 40 low-income homes · For older adults · (704) 482-7723
- Marion West HUD-assisted 110 Philbeck St, Shelby 28150 37 low-income homes · For older adults · (336) 725-3564
- Forest Glen Aparments Tax credit (LIHTC) 218 T R Harris Dr, Shelby 28150 36 low-income homes · 1 bd: 29 · 2 bd: 7 · In service since 2004 · For older adults
- Kings Falls Tax credit (LIHTC) East Gold Street, Kings Mountain 28086 36 low-income homes · 1 bd: 28 · 2 bd: 8 · In service since 2010 · For older adults
- Phillips Village HUD-assisted 1619 Patrick Ave, Boiling Springs 28017 32 low-income homes · For families · (704) 434-9770
- Wood Creek Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 330G W College Ave, Shelby 28152 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 23 · 2 bd: 1 · In service since 1993 · For older adults
- RIC Shelby Apartments HUD-assisted 800 W Marion St, Shelby 28150 15 homes, 14 low-income · For people with disabilities · (704) 770-5041
- Gracen's Ridge Tax credit (LIHTC) 338 A West College Avenue, Boiling Springs 28017 13 low-income homes · 1 bd: 13 · In service since 2008 · For older adults, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness
- CAC OF Cleveland County #2 HUD-assisted 831 Charles Rd, Shelby 28152 10 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (704) 482-3370
- Arc/HDS Cleveland Co GH HUD-assisted 1116 Ladell Ln, Shelby 28152 7 homes, 6 low-income · For people with disabilities · (704) 484-1737
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in Cleveland County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 2 agencies serve in Cleveland County. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
-
You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
-
Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
-
Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
-
If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
-
When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
-
Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $17,400 | $29,000 | $46,400 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $33,150 | $53,000 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $37,300 | $59,650 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $41,400 | $66,250 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $44,750 | $71,550 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $48,050 | $76,850 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $51,350 | $82,150 |
| 8 people | $54,650 | $54,650 | $87,450 |
Area median income: $82,800. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Cleveland County, NC. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $769 – $939
- 1 bedroom $773 – $945
- 2 bedrooms $913 – $1,115
- 3 bedrooms $1,264 – $1,544
- 4 bedrooms $1,282 – $1,566
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
- Kings Mountain Redevelopment Commission Public housing · 249 public housing units (704) 476-8356
- City of Shelby, Department of Housing Public housing · 172 public housing units (704) 484-6830
Housing agencies in North Carolina Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in North Carolina
What North Carolina law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- When must they return my deposit?
- 30 days
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-52
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 10 days
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-3
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 7 days
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-14
- Only a court order can remove youN.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-25.6
- Protection from retaliationN.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-37.1(b)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Cleveland County
This HUD-approved agency has an office in Cleveland County. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Cleveland County Community Development Corporation
823 W Warren St, Shelby
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 11 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Cleveland County. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in North Carolina, the average home bill was $144 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$2,028
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,014
- Security deposit
- $1,014
- Total
- $2,028
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in Cleveland County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $854; 1 bedroom: $859; 2 bedrooms: $1,014; 3 bedrooms: $1,404; 4 bedrooms: $1,424. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Cleveland County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,014) without spending more than 30% of income takes $19.50 an hour full time, or $40,560 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Cleveland County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $41,400 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in Cleveland County?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $913 and $1,115 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Cleveland County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,010 in 28020 to $1,100 in 28169. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in Cleveland County?
HUD lists 29 properties with homes for low-income households in Cleveland County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in Cleveland County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Cleveland County, 50% of renter households are in that position; in North Carolina, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).