Cost of Living in Cleveland County, North Carolina
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Cleveland County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Cleveland County ranks #2,339 of 3,144 counties for affordability (bottom 26%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Cleveland County, North Carolina
Cleveland's rents near national average burden
Cleveland County's 18.0% rent-to-income ratio runs just below the national norm, with $835 monthly rent and $55,769 income reflecting a typical American housing situation. The county sits solidly in the middle range of national affordability, neither exceptional nor strained.
Close to North Carolina's average affordability
Cleveland's 18.0% rent-to-income ratio nearly matches North Carolina's 18.6% state average, placing it squarely in the mainstream of the state's housing market. The $835 median rent tracks close to the state's $938 average, making Cleveland a representative North Carolina housing experience.
Mid-range pricing in regional context
Cleveland's $835 rent sits between rural Caswell ($699) and more urban Catawba ($891), while its $180,200 median home value stays lowest among counties in the broader peer group. This positions Cleveland as accessible for first-time homebuyers seeking modest leverage.
Ownership costs sink lower than rents
Cleveland renters spend 18.0% of their $55,769 income on housing, but homeowners pay only 15.6% to mortgages—a significant 2.4-point advantage for ownership seekers. This gap makes Cleveland appealing for renters ready to build equity rather than pay landlords indefinitely.
Solid ground for first-time homebuyers
Cleveland County offers mainstream North Carolina housing costs with a 18.0% rent-to-income ratio and $180,200 median home values—lowest among peer counties and ideal for first-time buyers. The 15.6% ownership burden outperforms the 18.0% renting cost, rewarding the move to homeownership on a $55,769 median income.
Cost of Living Advisory: Cleveland County
Affordability Verdict
Cleveland County offers affordable rental housing at a median of $835/month — about 18.0% of the typical household income here.
Rent vs. Own
The median rent in Cleveland County is $835/month, while owner costs run $726/month. Owning saves approximately $109/month.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $33,400/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $31,114/year. With a median household income of $55,769, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 29.0% of renter households in Cleveland County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Compared to Robeson County where rent averages $784/month, Cleveland County is approximately 7% more expensive.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Cleveland County
Rent Burden
18.0%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,301
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.6%
of gross income
The median home in Cleveland County may be a stretch
Median home value is $180,200. Estimated monthly cost: $1,439 vs. your max of $1,301.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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