At $1,415/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,415 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Bessemer City changed +7.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.
Rent rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($60,300) is $1,508 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,155).
Cherryville, 10 miles away, rents for 24% less ($1,075/mo), about $4,100 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Bessemer City. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Bessemer City, NC has changed in 5 years
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%.
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Can you afford rent in Bessemer City on your salary?
At $1,415/mo, how Bessemer City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Bessemer City rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Bessemer City. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Bessemer City
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Bessemer City is $1,415/mo as of October 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $932/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $799/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,155/mo.
At 28% of local median household income ($60,300/yr), Bessemer City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Bessemer City?
Is rent going up or down in Bessemer City?
How does Bessemer City rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bessemer City?
At $1,415/mo, rent takes ~28% of Bessemer City's median household income ($60,300/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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