Cost of Living in Mebane, NC

Population 18,899 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

94
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Mebane is a smaller North Carolina community of around 19000 residents, where median household incomes of $84,312 and housing costs ($296,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Located 20 miles west of Durham, Mebane falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 17% lower than Durham's $355,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 97
Rent 89

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

About the Cost of Living in Mebane

The median home value in Mebane is $295,600 — 3% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,171/month, 11% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $84,312/year is 13% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.4%, 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 72.2°F and lows of 49.2°F. Overall, Mebane has a cost of living index of 94 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$295,600
3% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$350,201
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,171/mo
11% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,516/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.0x
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 58.7%
Renter-occupied 41.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,171
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,785/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
31.7 min
17% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
17.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.8%
Carpooled
4.6%
Public transit
0.4%
Walked
0.1%
Work from home
17.6%

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
$84,312
13% above avg
Per Capita Income
$40,035
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
30% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Labor Force Participation
69.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 28.4%
Graduate degree 12.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.8
Male median age 37.5
Female median age 36

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
72.2°F
Avg Low
49.2°F
Annual Precip
43.3"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 525664748088918983736355
Low °F 303339485765706862493833
Precip" 3.072.813.883.833.374.284.653.534.403.093.273.12

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Mebane, NC?

Mebane has a cost index of 94 (100 = national average). It is 6% below the national average.

What is average rent in Mebane, NC?

The median gross rent in Mebane is $1,171 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Mebane?

The median home value in Mebane is $295,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Mebane?

The median household income in Mebane is $84,312 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Mebane, NC?

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

Is Mebane, NC affordable?

Mebane is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 94 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Mebane?

Mebane has average high temperatures of 72.2°F and average lows of 49.2°F. Annual precipitation is 43.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Mebane at a Glance

Population
18,899
Median Income
$84,312
Home Value
$295,600
Median Rent
$1,171/mo
Unemployment
3.4%
Avg High Temp
72.2°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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