Cost of Living in Hendersonville, NC

Population 15,253 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

93
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Hendersonville 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. An unemployment rate of 2.3% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 90 miles west of Charlotte, Hendersonville is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 20% lower than Charlotte's $352,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 93
Rent 94

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

About the Cost of Living in Hendersonville

The median home value in Hendersonville is $282,500 — 7% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,232/month, 6% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,337/year is 30% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.3%, 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, Hendersonville has a cost of living index of 93 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 7% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$282,500
7% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$396,127
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,232/mo
6% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,940/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.1x
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 45.1%
Renter-occupied 54.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,232
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,846/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
20.4 min
24% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.3%
Carpooled
11.2%
Public transit
0.7%
Walked
1.5%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
7.9%

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
$52,337
30% below avg
Per Capita Income
$37,210
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
51% below avg
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Labor Force Participation
53.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.6%
Graduate degree 14.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 50.3
Male median age 43.2
Female median age 55.2

🌤 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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
23
Public schools
13,396
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Hendersonville, NC?

Hendersonville has a cost index of 93 (100 = national average). It is 7% below the national average.

What is average rent in Hendersonville, NC?

The median gross rent in Hendersonville is $1,232 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Hendersonville?

The median home value in Hendersonville is $282,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Hendersonville?

The median household income in Hendersonville is $52,337 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Hendersonville, NC?

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

Is Hendersonville, NC affordable?

Hendersonville is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 93 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Hendersonville?

Hendersonville 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.

Hendersonville at a Glance

Population
15,253
Median Income
$52,337
Home Value
$282,500
Median Rent
$1,232/mo
Unemployment
2.3%
Avg High Temp
66.4°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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