Cost of Living in Ayden, NC

Population 5,035 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

55
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $41,711, median household incomes in Ayden land roughly 44% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. A poverty rate near 22% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Located 75 miles east of Raleigh, Ayden is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 57% lower than Raleigh's $378,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 53
Rent 59

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Ayden

The median home value in Ayden is $161,200 — 47% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $774/month, 41% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $41,711/year is 44% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.8%, above the national average of 4.8%. North Carolina's top state income tax rate is 4.5% and the combined sales tax is 7.0%. The climate averages highs of 73.6°F and lows of 53.1°F, with about 2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Ayden has a cost of living index of 55 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 45% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$161,200
47% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$259,819
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$774/mo
41% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.4x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$826
1 BR
$860
2 BR
$1,049
3 BR
$1,384
4 BR
$1,637
Owner-occupied 54.6%
Renter-occupied 45.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$774
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,388/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
25.2 min
7% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
91.3%
Carpooled
2.4%
Work from home
4.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.5%
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 4.8%
Avg local rate 2.2%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$41,711
44% below avg
Per Capita Income
$24,792
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
20% above avg
Poverty Rate
21.6%
Labor Force Participation
52.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.9%
Graduate degree 7.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.4
Male median age 36.9
Female median age 46.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
73.6°F
Avg Low
53.1°F
Annual Precip
52.3"
Annual Snowfall
2"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 545865758288918983756657
Low °F 353643516069727166544337
Precip" 3.553.244.223.903.524.405.426.427.033.793.173.60
Snow" 1.30.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
70.1%
Good air days/yr
118
Max AQI recorded
245
PM2.5 days
120
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Ayden, NC?

Ayden has a cost index of 55 (100 = national average). It is 45% below the national average.

What is average rent in Ayden, NC?

The median gross rent in Ayden is $774 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Ayden?

The median home value in Ayden is $161,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Ayden?

The median household income in Ayden is $41,711 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Ayden, NC?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ayden is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.

Is Ayden, NC affordable?

Yes, Ayden is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 55 — about 45% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Ayden?

Ayden has average high temperatures of 73.6°F and average lows of 53.1°F. Annual precipitation is 52.3". Average annual snowfall is 2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Ayden at a Glance

Population
5,035
Median Income
$41,711
Home Value
$161,200
Median Rent
$774/mo
Unemployment
5.8%
Avg High Temp
73.6°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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