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Shelby-Kings Mountain, NC

Cost of living in Cleveland County, NC

Estimated monthly cost
$2,647/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 100,170 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $709 27%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $432 16%
Groceries $327 12%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $187 7%
State tax $137 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Cleveland County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$705
per month
1 bedroom
$709
per month
2 bedroom
$930
per month
3 bedroom
$1,303
per month
4 bedroom
$1,397
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Cleveland County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$55,769
per year
Individual earnings
$36,491
per year
Per capita
$29,849
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Cleveland County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$180,200
Annual property tax
$1,240

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Cleveland County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$147
per month · 14¢/kWh
Natural gas
$40
per month
Annual total
$2,244
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Cleveland County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
10.4%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Cleveland County

State and local tax rates for North Carolina.

State income tax
4.5%
Flat rate
State sales tax
4.8%
Combined sales tax
7.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Cleveland County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
25.1 min
Drive alone
82.2%
Public transit
0.0%
Work from home
6.2%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Cleveland County

What it costs to live in Cleveland County each month.

Single person
$2,647
per month
  • Rent $709
  • Energy $187
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $327
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $432
  • State tax $137
Couple
$3,837
per month
  • Rent $930
  • Energy $224
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $542
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $583
  • State tax $209
Family
$6,342
per month
  • Rent $1,303
  • Energy $280
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $822
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $583
  • State tax $209

Frequently asked questions about Cleveland County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Cleveland County?

In Cleveland County, NC, a one-bedroom apartment averages $709 per month, a two-bedroom averages $930 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,303 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Cleveland County?

In Cleveland County, NC, the average household income is $55,769 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $36,491 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Cleveland County?

The estimated cost of living in Cleveland County, NC is approximately $2,647 per month for a single person, $3,837 for a couple, $6,342 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Cleveland County?

The combined sales tax rate in Cleveland County, NC is 7.00%, which includes the North Carolina state rate of 4.75% plus an average local rate of 2.25%.

Is Cleveland County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Cleveland County, NC would need approximately $2,647 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $55,769 per year ($4,647 per month). Cleveland County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Cleveland County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Cleveland County, NC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 10.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Cleveland County?

The average home value in Cleveland County, NC is $180,200, with average annual property taxes of $1,240, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Cleveland County compare to other areas?

You can compare Cleveland County, NC with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Cleveland County is in the Shelby-Kings Mountain, NC metro area.

Other counties in North Carolina

Browse the full list of counties in North Carolina, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in North Carolina

Compare Cleveland County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources