Cost of Living in Oak Ridge, NC
Population 7,660 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Oak Ridge a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $524,000.
Geographically, Oak Ridge sits roughly 11 miles northwest of Greensboro. Median home values run roughly 137% higher than Greensboro's $221,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Oak Ridge
The median home value in Oak Ridge is $523,500 — 72% above the national median of $305,000. The median household income of $140,583/year is 88% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.2%, 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 69.8°F and lows of 49.4°F, with about 7.1" of annual snowfall. Overall, Oak Ridge has a cost of living index of 172 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 72% more expensive.
Oak Ridge 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
🛒 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 | 49 | 53 | 61 | 71 | 78 | 85 | 89 | 87 | 80 | 71 | 61 | 52 |
| Low °F | 30 | 33 | 39 | 48 | 57 | 65 | 69 | 68 | 62 | 49 | 39 | 33 |
| Precip" | 3.39 | 2.81 | 3.72 | 3.78 | 3.49 | 4.09 | 4.18 | 4.36 | 4.59 | 3.10 | 3.27 | 3.17 |
| Snow" | 2.9 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.2 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Oak Ridge, NC?
Oak Ridge has a cost index of 172 (100 = national average). It is 72% above the national average.
What is the average home price in Oak Ridge?
The median home value in Oak Ridge is $523,500 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Oak Ridge?
The median household income in Oak Ridge is $140,583 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Oak Ridge, NC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Oak Ridge is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.
Is Oak Ridge, NC affordable?
Oak Ridge is above average in cost of living, with an index of 172 — about 72% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Oak Ridge?
Oak Ridge has average high temperatures of 69.8°F and average lows of 49.4°F. Annual precipitation is 44". Average annual snowfall is 7.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Oak Ridge at a Glance
- Population
- 7,660
- Median Income
- $140,583
- Home Value
- $523,500
- Unemployment
- 3.2%
- Avg High Temp
- 69.8°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
North Carolina Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs