Cost of Living in Butner, NC

Population 7,996 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

81
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Butner offers a notably favorable income-to-housing ratio for its region. The typical home — $226,000 — costs less than 3.1 times median household income of $72,917, a threshold many coastal markets passed a decade ago.

Geographically, Butner sits roughly 14 miles northeast of Durham. Median home values run roughly 37% lower than Durham's $355,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 74
Rent 91

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

About the Cost of Living in Butner

The median home value in Butner is $225,600 — 26% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,195/month, 9% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $72,917/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.3%, 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 72.0°F and lows of 50.4°F, with about 5.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Butner has a cost of living index of 81 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 19% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$225,600
26% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$306,706
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,195/mo
9% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.7x
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 71.8%
Renter-occupied 28.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,195
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,809/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
27.7 min
3% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.5%
Carpooled
13.2%
Public transit
1.2%
Work from home
9.1%

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
$72,917
2% below avg
Per Capita Income
$29,196
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
10% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Labor Force Participation
59.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.1%
Graduate degree 6.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.4
Male median age 41
Female median age 41.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
72.0°F
Avg Low
50.4°F
Annual Precip
46.1"
Annual Snowfall
5.2"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 525663738087918983736355
Low °F 323440495866706963504034
Precip" 3.432.784.103.533.383.895.024.715.153.373.323.39
Snow" 2.61.40.30.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.10.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
83.5%
Good air days/yr
105
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
242
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Butner, NC?

Butner has a cost index of 81 (100 = national average). It is 19% below the national average.

What is average rent in Butner, NC?

The median gross rent in Butner is $1,195 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Butner?

The median home value in Butner is $225,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Butner?

The median household income in Butner is $72,917 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Butner, NC?

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

Is Butner, NC affordable?

Yes, Butner is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 81 — about 19% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Butner?

Butner has average high temperatures of 72.0°F and average lows of 50.4°F. Annual precipitation is 46.1". Average annual snowfall is 5.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Butner at a Glance

Population
7,996
Median Income
$72,917
Home Value
$225,600
Median Rent
$1,195/mo
Unemployment
5.3%
Avg High Temp
72.0°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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