Rent in Mecklenburg County, NC at a glance
2-bedroom rent (HUD)
$1,686$20,232 a year · HUD fiscal year 2026From October 1, 2026: $1,785 (+5.9%)How much rent can you afford in Mecklenburg County, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
Rent in Mecklenburg County, NC by bedroom, and the pay it takes
Income needed keeps rent at 30% of gross pay; the hourly figure assumes one full-time job, 2,080 hours a year.
| Size | A month | A year | Income needed | Hourly wage needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,469 | $17,628 | $58,760 | $28.25/hr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,538 | $18,456 | $61,520 | $29.58/hr |
| 2 bedroomsMost searched | $1,686 | $20,232 | $67,440 | $32.42/hr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,076 | $24,912 | $83,040 | $39.92/hr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,637 | $31,644 | $105,480 | $50.71/hr |
Cost of living in Mecklenburg County, NC: income, prices and a budget →
Living and working in Mecklenburg County, NC
Rent in Mecklenburg County, NC: common questions
How much is rent going up in Mecklenburg County, NC in 2027?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for fiscal 2027, which takes effect October 1, 2026, is $1,785 for a two-bedroom, up 5.9% from $1,686. A one-bedroom goes from $1,538 to $1,640, a studio from $1,469 to $1,574.
These are HUD's estimates of what a typical recently rented unit costs, used for housing vouchers. A landlord's increase on your lease follows your lease and your state's rules, not this figure.
What is the average rent in Mecklenburg County, NC?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026 is $1,538 for a one-bedroom and $1,686 for a two-bedroom, utilities included. That is $20,232 a year for the two-bedroom.
It is not an average of current listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so asking rents on newer places usually run higher.
How much do you need to make to afford rent in Mecklenburg County, NC?
To keep a $1,686 two-bedroom at 30% of gross pay, one full-time worker needs $32.42 an hour, or $67,440 a year. A one-bedroom at $1,538 takes $29.58 an hour.
How much is a 1, 2 or 3-bedroom apartment in Mecklenburg County, NC?
At HUD's 2026 Fair Market Rent: studio $1,469, one bedroom $1,538, two $1,686, three $2,076 and four $2,637 a month.
Is rent affordable in Mecklenburg County, NC?
For the typical household, earning $87,005 a year ($7,250 a month, Census ACS), a two-bedroom at $1,686 takes 23.3% of income. Under 30% is the usual line for affordable; this is under it.
How is the income needed for rent worked out?
Rent for a year divided by 0.30, the share of gross income HUD treats as affordable: ($1,686 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $67,440. Divided by 2,080 working hours, that is $32.42 an hour.