Cost of Living in McDowell County, North Carolina
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How McDowell County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
McDowell County ranks #704 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 22%)
Sourced county brief
McDowell County Median Monthly Owner Costs Estimated at $615
The median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units in McDowell County were estimated at $615 per month. This amount is $312 below the North Carolina unweighted county mean of $927. For renter-occupied housing units, the official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 24.9% according to ACS table B25071. This official estimate is 4.0 percentage points lower than the state unweighted county mean of 28.9%. The median gross rent in the county was $806 per month, while the unweighted county mean for North Carolina was $977. The median home value in the county was $171,100, which is below the state unweighted county mean of $235,312. Median renter-household income for the period was $37,178. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: McDowell County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 24.9% of renter household income in McDowell County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $806 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $615. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $32,240 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The North Carolina unweighted mean of county median rents is $977 per month. McDowell County's $806 median is 17.5% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in McDowell County
Rent Burden
16.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,334
per month
Owner Cost Burden
12.9%
of gross income
The median home in McDowell County may be a stretch
Median home value is $171,100. Estimated monthly cost: $1,366 vs. your max of $1,334.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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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 (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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