Cost of Living in Lake Norman of Catawba, NC

Population 9,308 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

141
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Lake Norman of Catawba is a smaller North Carolina community of around 9000 residents, where median household incomes of $106,836 and housing costs ($522,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Lake Norman of Catawba sits roughly 25 miles northwest of Concord — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 59% higher than Concord's $328,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 171
Rent 95

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

About the Cost of Living in Lake Norman of Catawba

The median home value in Lake Norman of Catawba is $522,300 — 71% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,246/month, 5% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $106,836/year is 43% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.1%, 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 69.1°F and lows of 48.9°F. Overall, Lake Norman of Catawba has a cost of living index of 141 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 41% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$522,300
71% above avg
Median Rent
$1,246/mo
5% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
34.9x
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 88.7%
Renter-occupied 11.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,246
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,860/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
36.8 min
36% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
18.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.2%
Carpooled
9.6%
Work from home
18.4%

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
$106,836
43% above avg
Per Capita Income
$65,368
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
35% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.2%
Labor Force Participation
60.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 31.6%
Graduate degree 11.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 50.5
Male median age 50.9
Female median age 50.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
69.1°F
Avg Low
48.9°F
Annual Precip
47.1"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 495361707784878680706052
Low °F 303340485664686761493933
Precip" 3.813.214.084.083.864.354.294.583.933.493.623.85

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
61.1%
Good air days/yr
115
Max AQI recorded
347
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lake Norman of Catawba, NC?

Lake Norman of Catawba has a cost index of 141 (100 = national average). It is 41% above the national average.

What is average rent in Lake Norman of Catawba, NC?

The median gross rent in Lake Norman of Catawba is $1,246 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lake Norman of Catawba?

The median home value in Lake Norman of Catawba is $522,300 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Lake Norman of Catawba?

The median household income in Lake Norman of Catawba is $106,836 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lake Norman of Catawba, NC?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Lake Norman of Catawba is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.

Is Lake Norman of Catawba, NC affordable?

Lake Norman of Catawba is above average in cost of living, with an index of 141 — about 41% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Lake Norman of Catawba?

Lake Norman of Catawba has average high temperatures of 69.1°F and average lows of 48.9°F. Annual precipitation is 47.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Lake Norman of Catawba at a Glance

Population
9,308
Median Income
$106,836
Home Value
$522,300
Median Rent
$1,246/mo
Unemployment
3.1%
Avg High Temp
69.1°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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