Cost of Living in Holly Springs, NC

Population 43,429 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

152
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Holly Springs lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $486,000 — 59% above the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in North Carolina.

Holly Springs sits roughly 9 miles south of Cary — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 8% lower than Cary's $525,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 159
Rent 141

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

About the Cost of Living in Holly Springs

The median home value in Holly Springs is $485,500 — 59% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,858/month, 41% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $132,435/year is 78% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.5%, 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 72.0°F and lows of 50.4°F, with about 5.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Holly Springs has a cost of living index of 152 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 52% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$485,500
59% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$574,491
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,858/mo
41% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,949/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.8x
Favors renting
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 83.4%
Renter-occupied 16.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,858
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,472/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
30.7 min
14% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
30.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
63.2%
Carpooled
3.9%
Walked
1.6%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
30.5%

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
$132,435
78% above avg
Per Capita Income
$51,487
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
27% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Labor Force Participation
72.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 41.4%
Graduate degree 26.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.3
Male median age 36.1
Female median age 36.5

🌤 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 49 — Good
52.1%
Good air days/yr
130
Max AQI recorded
256
PM2.5 days
108
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
2
Public schools
1,568
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Holly Springs, NC?

Holly Springs has a cost index of 152 (100 = national average). It is 52% above the national average.

What is average rent in Holly Springs, NC?

The median gross rent in Holly Springs is $1,858 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Holly Springs?

The median home value in Holly Springs is $485,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Holly Springs?

The median household income in Holly Springs is $132,435 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Holly Springs, NC?

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

Is Holly Springs, NC affordable?

Holly Springs is above average in cost of living, with an index of 152 — about 52% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Holly Springs?

Holly Springs 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.

Holly Springs at a Glance

Population
43,429
Median Income
$132,435
Home Value
$485,500
Median Rent
$1,858/mo
Unemployment
3.5%
Avg High Temp
72.0°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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