Cost of Living in Kernersville, NC

Population 27,439 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

84
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Kernersville cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $264,000, rents near $1,052 a month.

Located 9 miles northwest of High Point, Kernersville falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 24% higher than High Point's $212,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 87
Rent 80

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

About the Cost of Living in Kernersville

The median home value in Kernersville is $264,000 — 13% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,052/month, 20% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $69,923/year is 6% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, 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 69.8°F and lows of 49.4°F, with about 7.1" of annual snowfall. Overall, Kernersville has a cost of living index of 84 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$264,000
13% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$317,505
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,052/mo
20% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,689/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.9x
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 56.1%
Renter-occupied 43.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,052
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,666/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
24.7 min
9% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.8%
Carpooled
7.0%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
1.3%
Work from home
9.6%

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
$69,923
6% below avg
Per Capita Income
$39,468
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
21% below avg
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Labor Force Participation
65.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.8%
Graduate degree 13.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.7
Male median age 38.3
Female median age 40

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
69.8°F
Avg Low
49.4°F
Annual Precip
44"
Annual Snowfall
7.1"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 495361717885898780716152
Low °F 303339485765696862493933
Precip" 3.392.813.723.783.494.094.184.364.593.103.273.17
Snow" 2.92.00.90.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.11.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
45.2%
Good air days/yr
154
Max AQI recorded
251
PM2.5 days
111
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
1
Public schools
934
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Kernersville, NC?

Kernersville has a cost index of 84 (100 = national average). It is 16% below the national average.

What is average rent in Kernersville, NC?

The median gross rent in Kernersville is $1,052 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Kernersville?

The median home value in Kernersville is $264,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Kernersville?

The median household income in Kernersville is $69,923 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Kernersville, NC?

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

Is Kernersville, NC affordable?

Yes, Kernersville is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 84 — about 16% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Kernersville?

Kernersville has average high temperatures of 69.8°F and average lows of 49.4°F. Annual precipitation is 44". Average annual snowfall is 7.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Kernersville at a Glance

Population
27,439
Median Income
$69,923
Home Value
$264,000
Median Rent
$1,052/mo
Unemployment
3.8%
Avg High Temp
69.8°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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