Cost of Living in Elkin, NC
Population 4,025 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Elkin sits on the smaller end of the North Carolina city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. Around 23% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.
Located 35 miles west of Winston-Salem, Elkin falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 10% lower than Winston-Salem's $208,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Elkin
The median home value in Elkin is $187,200 — 39% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $765/month, 42% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,434/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.1%, 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 69.4°F and lows of 49.6°F. Overall, Elkin has a cost of living index of 60 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 40% less expensive.
Elkin has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 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 | 71 | 78 | 85 | 88 | 86 | 80 | 71 | 60 | 52 |
| Low °F | 31 | 33 | 40 | 48 | 57 | 65 | 69 | 68 | 61 | 49 | 39 | 34 |
| Precip" | 3.35 | 2.89 | 3.60 | 3.71 | 3.76 | 3.64 | 4.24 | 4.51 | 3.86 | 3.28 | 3.06 | 3.30 |
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Elkin, NC?
Elkin has a cost index of 60 (100 = national average). It is 40% below the national average.
What is average rent in Elkin, NC?
The median gross rent in Elkin is $765 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Elkin?
The median home value in Elkin is $187,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Elkin?
The median household income in Elkin is $60,434 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Elkin, NC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Elkin is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.
Is Elkin, NC affordable?
Yes, Elkin is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 60 — about 40% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Elkin?
Elkin has average high temperatures of 69.4°F and average lows of 49.6°F. Annual precipitation is 43.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Elkin at a Glance
- Population
- 4,025
- Median Income
- $60,434
- Home Value
- $187,200
- Median Rent
- $765/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.1%
- Avg High Temp
- 69.4°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
North Carolina Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs