Cost of Living in Kitty Hawk, NC

Population 3,721 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

139
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 Kitty Hawk a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $494,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 8.0% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Kitty Hawk is about 50 miles southeast of Virginia Beach, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 35% higher than Virginia Beach's $366,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 162
Rent 104

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

About the Cost of Living in Kitty Hawk

The median home value in Kitty Hawk is $494,200 — 62% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,366/month, 4% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $88,811/year is 19% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.0%, above 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 68.6°F and lows of 54.7°F, with about 1.1" of annual snowfall. Overall, Kitty Hawk has a cost of living index of 139 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$494,200
62% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$189,454
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,366/mo
4% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
30.1x
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 76.4%
Renter-occupied 23.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,366
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,980/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
27.7 min
3% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
21.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.0%
Carpooled
5.4%
Walked
0.4%
Work from home
21.2%

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
$88,811
19% above avg
Per Capita Income
$50,064
Unemployment Rate
8.0%
65% above avg
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Labor Force Participation
66.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 30.3%
Graduate degree 11.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 50.3
Male median age 49.1
Female median age 50.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
68.6°F
Avg Low
54.7°F
Annual Precip
46.5"
Annual Snowfall
1.1"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 515359687582868479716155
Low °F 363743516069737269584840
Precip" 3.783.163.802.933.524.465.265.644.543.242.883.34
Snow" 0.70.40.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Kitty Hawk, NC?

Kitty Hawk has a cost index of 139 (100 = national average). It is 39% above the national average.

What is average rent in Kitty Hawk, NC?

The median gross rent in Kitty Hawk is $1,366 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Kitty Hawk?

The median home value in Kitty Hawk is $494,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Kitty Hawk?

The median household income in Kitty Hawk is $88,811 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Kitty Hawk, NC?

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

Is Kitty Hawk, NC affordable?

Kitty Hawk is above average in cost of living, with an index of 139 — about 39% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Kitty Hawk?

Kitty Hawk has average high temperatures of 68.6°F and average lows of 54.7°F. Annual precipitation is 46.5". Average annual snowfall is 1.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Kitty Hawk at a Glance

Population
3,721
Median Income
$88,811
Home Value
$494,200
Median Rent
$1,366/mo
Unemployment
8.0%
Avg High Temp
68.6°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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