Cost of Living in Mills River, NC
Population 7,214 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Mills River a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $359,000.
Located 85 miles southeast of Knoxville, Mills River is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 68% higher than Knoxville's $214,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Mills River
The median home value in Mills River is $358,500 — 18% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,611/month, 23% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $88,359/year is 18% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.8%, 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 66.4°F and lows of 44.4°F. Overall, Mills River has a cost of living index of 120 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% more expensive.
Mills River has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 48 | 51 | 58 | 67 | 74 | 80 | 83 | 82 | 77 | 68 | 58 | 50 |
| Low °F | 27 | 29 | 35 | 42 | 51 | 59 | 63 | 62 | 56 | 44 | 34 | 30 |
| Precip" | 4.39 | 3.65 | 3.95 | 4.28 | 4.24 | 4.77 | 5.32 | 4.73 | 4.36 | 3.46 | 3.88 | 4.38 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Mills River, NC?
Mills River has a cost index of 120 (100 = national average). It is 20% above the national average.
What is average rent in Mills River, NC?
The median gross rent in Mills River is $1,611 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Mills River?
The median home value in Mills River is $358,500 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Mills River?
The median household income in Mills River is $88,359 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Mills River, NC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Mills River is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.
Is Mills River, NC affordable?
Mills River is above average in cost of living, with an index of 120 — about 20% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Mills River?
Mills River has average high temperatures of 66.4°F and average lows of 44.4°F. Annual precipitation is 51.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Mills River at a Glance
- Population
- 7,214
- Median Income
- $88,359
- Home Value
- $358,500
- Median Rent
- $1,611/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.8%
- Avg High Temp
- 66.4°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
North Carolina Rankings
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