1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Shelby, NC
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Shelby, North Carolina as of July 2026. That's +36% lower than the citywide median of $1,108 and +49% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Shelby
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Shelby
Compare Shelby's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ranlo | $483 |
| 2 | Shelby (this page) | $710 |
| 3 | Lumberton | $730 |
| 4 | Albemarle | $770 |
| 5 | Henderson | $770 |
| 6 | Lillington | $780 |
| 7 | Kings Mountain | $820 |
| 8 | Lenoir | $820 |
| 9 | Raeford | $820 |
| 10 | Aberdeen | $830 |
| 11 | Gibsonville | $836 |
| 12 | Marion | $840 |
| 13 | Kinston | $850 |
| 14 | Wilson | $855 |
| 15 | Nashville | $870 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $2,470 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $1,950 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $1,930 |
| 4 | Apex | $1,897 |
| 5 | Davidson | $1,870 |
| 6 | Cornelius | $1,830 |
| 7 | Chapel Hill | $1,825 |
| 8 | Pineville | $1,790 |
| 9 | Cary | $1,755 |
| 10 | Mint Hill | $1,720 |
| 11 | Raleigh | $1,639 |
| 12 | Indian Trail | $1,631 |
| 13 | Fuquay Varina | $1,630 |
| 14 | Wake Forest | $1,620 |
| 15 | Durham | $1,600 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Shelby.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Shelby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaffney, SC | 12 mi | $750 | +$40 (+6%) |
| Kings Mountain, NC | 15.3 mi | $820 | +$110 (+15%) |
| Cherryville, NC | 17.4 mi | $980 | +$270 (+38%) |
| Clover, SC | 27.7 mi | $1,540 | +$830 (+117%) |
| Lincolnton, NC | 29.1 mi | $1,010 | +$300 (+42%) |
| Boiling Springs, SC | 29.4 mi | $1,130 | +$420 (+59%) |
| Gastonia, NC | 29.7 mi | $1,307 | +$597 (+84%) |
| Spartanburg, SC | 29.9 mi | $1,092 | +$382 (+54%) |
| Dallas, NC | 30 mi | $1,050 | +$340 (+48%) |
| Ranlo, NC | 32.5 mi | $483 | $-227 (-32%) |
| Inman, SC | 34.5 mi | $1,070 | +$360 (+51%) |
| Newton, NC | 37 mi | $930 | +$220 (+31%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Shelby — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Shelby?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Shelby, North Carolina is $710 per month. This is +36% below the citywide median of $1,108.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Shelby?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $28,400 ($2,367/month gross), which works out to roughly $13.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is Shelby expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Shelby's 1-bedroom median of $710 is +49% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 1th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Shelby rank for 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 122 cities in North Carolina with 1-bedroom data, Shelby ranks #2 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Shelby?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Ranlo ($483).