Cost of Living in Forest Oaks, NC

Population 4,095 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

111
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 Forest Oaks a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $294,000. An unemployment rate of 0.0% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Forest Oaks sits roughly 10 miles southeast of Greensboro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 33% higher than Greensboro's $221,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 97
Rent 132

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

About the Cost of Living in Forest Oaks

The median home value in Forest Oaks is $294,400 — 3% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,732/month, 32% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $108,250/year is 45% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.0%, 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 72.2°F and lows of 49.2°F. Overall, Forest Oaks has a cost of living index of 111 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 11% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$294,400
3% below avg
Median Rent
$1,732/mo
32% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.2x
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 91.6%
Renter-occupied 8.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,732
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,346/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
23.7 min
12% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.8%
Carpooled
10.9%
Work from home
11.3%

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
$108,250
45% above avg
Per Capita Income
$43,265
Unemployment Rate
0.0%
100% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Labor Force Participation
57.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 28.4%
Graduate degree 18.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 48.9
Male median age 48.2
Female median age 49.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
72.2°F
Avg Low
49.2°F
Annual Precip
43.3"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 525664748088918983736355
Low °F 303339485765706862493833
Precip" 3.072.813.883.833.374.284.653.534.403.093.273.12

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 50 — Good
50.1%
Good air days/yr
131
Max AQI recorded
248
PM2.5 days
112
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Forest Oaks, NC?

Forest Oaks has a cost index of 111 (100 = national average). It is 11% above the national average.

What is average rent in Forest Oaks, NC?

The median gross rent in Forest Oaks is $1,732 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Forest Oaks?

The median home value in Forest Oaks is $294,400 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Forest Oaks?

The median household income in Forest Oaks is $108,250 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Forest Oaks, NC?

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

Is Forest Oaks, NC affordable?

Forest Oaks is above average in cost of living, with an index of 111 — about 11% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Forest Oaks?

Forest Oaks has average high temperatures of 72.2°F and average lows of 49.2°F. Annual precipitation is 43.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Forest Oaks at a Glance

Population
4,095
Median Income
$108,250
Home Value
$294,400
Median Rent
$1,732/mo
Unemployment
0.0%
Avg High Temp
72.2°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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🗺️ County data for North Carolina

Explore county-level cost of living data

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