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City Report · NC

Bessemer City

Pop. 5,580·110th most expensive in North Carolina·Bessemer City rents are up 16.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,366/mo
Year-over-Year
+16.2%
Month-over-Month
-0.7%
vs US Median
-$596
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bessemer City · $1,366
More affordable than 84% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,366/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$55,000/yr
Local median income
$60,300/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Bessemer City's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

1 BR
$799
2 BR
$932
3 BR
$1,155
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$932/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,366 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$16,392/yr
At $1,366/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 16.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+16.2% YoY, -0.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Bessemer City, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 16.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
5,580
Median income
$60,300
Median age
34.3
Renters
34%
Age distribution
22.8%
27.9%
23.5%
16.9%
Under 1822.8%
18–3427.9%
35–5423.5%
55–648.9%
65+16.9%
Gender
51.5%
48.5%
Male51.5%
Female48.5%
Race & ethnicity
79.5%
13.2%
White79.5%
Black13.2%
Hispanic8.6%
Education (25+)
17.1%
36.9%
30%
16.1%
No HS diploma17.1%
HS diploma36.9%
Some college30%
Bachelor's+16.1%
Housing tenure
66%
34%
Owner66%
Renter34%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Bessemer City, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$41,558 → $60,300
up 45.1%
Population
5,452 → 5,580
up 2.3%
Renter share
49.6% → 34%
-15.6 pts
Bachelor's+
10% → 16.1%
+6.1 pts
Median age
35.6 → 34.3
-1.3 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $41,558 to $60,300 across the same window, up 45.1% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 5,452 to 5,580 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.3% change. About 34% of households rent today, against 49.6% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 10% to 16.1%.

Community

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View Bessemer City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bessemer City on your salary?

At $1,366/mo, how Bessemer City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bessemer City rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Bessemer City. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bessemer City

About renting in Bessemer City, NC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Bessemer City is $1,366/mo as of August 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $932/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $799/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,155/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($60,300/yr), Bessemer City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 16.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bessemer City an affordable city for renters?

Bessemer City is considered affordable for renters. At $1,366/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($60,300/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bessemer City falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bessemer City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,366/mo in Bessemer City. The local median household income is $60,300/yr, meaning the typical Bessemer City household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bessemer City?

Rent in Bessemer City has increased 16.2% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Bessemer City rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Bessemer City is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #110 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,366/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bessemer City?

Cherryville is nearby and more affordable at $1,100/mo, which is $266 less than Bessemer City.

What percentage of Bessemer City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34% of Bessemer City households are renters, while 66% are owner-occupied. Bessemer City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bessemer City rent compare to the national average?

Bessemer City's median rent of $1,366/mo is $596 (30%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #110 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,366/mo, rent takes ~27% of Bessemer City's median household income ($60,300/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bessemer City 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Bessemer City affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bessemer City, NC

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