Cost of Living in Boone, NC
Population 19,534 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Boone's median household income of $28,633 is a meaningful share below the national figure, which shapes most of the downstream economic indicators — from housing affordability to the share of residents living below the poverty line (52% here). Rent burden runs high: typical rents of $1,080/month consume roughly 45% of median household income, past the 30% threshold most affordability frameworks flag as strained.
Geographically, Boone lies roughly 80 miles west of the nearest major metro, Winston-Salem. Median home values run roughly 79% higher than Winston-Salem's $208,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Boone
The median home value in Boone is $373,600 — 22% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,080/month, 18% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $28,633/year is 62% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 14.8%, 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 69.1°F and lows of 48.9°F. Overall, Boone has a cost of living index of 106 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 49 | 53 | 61 | 70 | 77 | 84 | 87 | 86 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 52 |
| Low °F | 30 | 33 | 40 | 48 | 56 | 64 | 68 | 67 | 61 | 49 | 39 | 33 |
| Precip" | 3.81 | 3.21 | 4.08 | 4.08 | 3.86 | 4.35 | 4.29 | 4.58 | 3.93 | 3.49 | 3.62 | 3.85 |
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Boone, NC?
Boone has a cost index of 106 (100 = national average). It is 6% above the national average.
What is average rent in Boone, NC?
The median gross rent in Boone is $1,080 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Boone?
The median home value in Boone is $373,600 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Boone?
The median household income in Boone is $28,633 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Boone, NC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Boone is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.
Is Boone, NC affordable?
Boone is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 106 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in Boone?
Boone has average high temperatures of 69.1°F and average lows of 48.9°F. Annual precipitation is 47.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Boone at a Glance
- Population
- 19,534
- Median Income
- $28,633
- Home Value
- $373,600
- Median Rent
- $1,080/mo
- Unemployment
- 14.8%
- Avg High Temp
- 69.1°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
North Carolina Rankings
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