Cost of Living in Etowah, NC

Population 7,765 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

106
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Etowah a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $314,000. An unemployment rate of 1.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Etowah lies roughly 90 miles southeast of the nearest major metro, Knoxville — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 46% higher than Knoxville's $214,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 103
Rent 110

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

About the Cost of Living in Etowah

The median home value in Etowah is $313,500 — 3% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,442/month, 10% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $73,000/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.7%, below 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 66.4°F and lows of 44.4°F. Overall, Etowah has a cost of living index of 106 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$313,500
3% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$625,161
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,442/mo
10% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1x
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 83.5%
Renter-occupied 16.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,442
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,056/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
29.4 min
9% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.5%
Carpooled
15.6%
Walked
0.2%
Work from home
6.3%

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
$73,000
2% below avg
Per Capita Income
$38,400
Unemployment Rate
1.7%
65% below avg
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Labor Force Participation
56.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.9%
Graduate degree 13.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 46.2
Male median age 44.3
Female median age 53.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
66.4°F
Avg Low
44.4°F
Annual Precip
51.4"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 485158677480838277685850
Low °F 272935425159636256443430
Precip" 4.393.653.954.284.244.775.324.734.363.463.884.38

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Etowah, NC?

Etowah has a cost index of 106 (100 = national average). It is 6% above the national average.

What is average rent in Etowah, NC?

The median gross rent in Etowah is $1,442 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Etowah?

The median home value in Etowah is $313,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Etowah?

The median household income in Etowah is $73,000 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Etowah, NC?

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

Is Etowah, NC affordable?

Etowah 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 Etowah?

Etowah has average high temperatures of 66.4°F and average lows of 44.4°F. Annual precipitation is 51.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Etowah at a Glance

Population
7,765
Median Income
$73,000
Home Value
$313,500
Median Rent
$1,442/mo
Unemployment
1.7%
Avg High Temp
66.4°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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