Cost of Living in Mount Olive, NC

Population 4,204 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

51
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Mount Olive's median household income of $45,869 is a meaningful share below the national figure, which shapes most of the downstream economic indicators — from housing affordability to the share of residents living below the poverty line (22% here). At 9.0%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 50 miles east of Fayetteville, Mount Olive is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 32% lower than Fayetteville's $172,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 38
Rent 70

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

About the Cost of Living in Mount Olive

The median home value in Mount Olive is $117,200 — 62% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $916/month, 30% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $45,869/year is 38% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.0%, 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 73.6°F and lows of 53.1°F, with about 2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Mount Olive has a cost of living index of 51 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 49% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$117,200
62% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$125,251
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$916/mo
30% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
10.7x
Favors buying
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 53.4%
Renter-occupied 46.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$916
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,530/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
20.8 min
23% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
1.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.8%
Carpooled
17.8%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
2.6%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
1.8%

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
$45,869
38% below avg
Per Capita Income
$30,256
Unemployment Rate
9.0%
87% above avg
Poverty Rate
21.7%
Labor Force Participation
53.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.8%
Graduate degree 5.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.2
Male median age 31.4
Female median age 48.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
73.6°F
Avg Low
53.1°F
Annual Precip
52.3"
Annual Snowfall
2"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 545865758288918983756657
Low °F 353643516069727166544337
Precip" 3.553.244.223.903.524.405.426.427.033.793.173.60
Snow" 1.30.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.7

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Mount Olive, NC?

Mount Olive has a cost index of 51 (100 = national average). It is 49% below the national average.

What is average rent in Mount Olive, NC?

The median gross rent in Mount Olive is $916 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Mount Olive?

The median home value in Mount Olive is $117,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Mount Olive?

The median household income in Mount Olive is $45,869 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Mount Olive, NC?

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

Is Mount Olive, NC affordable?

Yes, Mount Olive is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 51 — about 49% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Mount Olive?

Mount Olive has average high temperatures of 73.6°F and average lows of 53.1°F. Annual precipitation is 52.3". Average annual snowfall is 2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Mount Olive at a Glance

Population
4,204
Median Income
$45,869
Home Value
$117,200
Median Rent
$916/mo
Unemployment
9.0%
Avg High Temp
73.6°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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