Cost of Living in Pittsboro, NC

Population 4,640 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

98
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Pittsboro is a smaller North Carolina community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $64,792 and housing costs ($343,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.1% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Pittsboro sits roughly 20 miles west of Cary. Median home values run roughly 35% lower than Cary's $525,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 112
Rent 76

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

About the Cost of Living in Pittsboro

The median home value in Pittsboro is $342,800 — 12% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $993/month, 24% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $64,792/year is 13% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.1%, 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 71.2°F and lows of 49.9°F. Overall, Pittsboro has a cost of living index of 98 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 2% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$342,800
12% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$541,258
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$993/mo
24% below avg
Zillow Rent
$2,028/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.8x
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 60.6%
Renter-occupied 39.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$993
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,607/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
33.6 min
24% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.0%
Carpooled
5.0%
Work from home
16.0%

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
$64,792
13% below avg
Per Capita Income
$42,232
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
56% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Labor Force Participation
62.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.7%
Graduate degree 23.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.5
Male median age 43.6
Female median age 38.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
71.2°F
Avg Low
49.9°F
Annual Precip
43.6"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 515563727986908882726254
Low °F 323440485765696862504035
Precip" 3.392.753.943.563.464.364.133.814.413.203.203.35

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
18
Public schools
9,196
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Pittsboro, NC?

Pittsboro has a cost index of 98 (100 = national average). It is 2% below the national average.

What is average rent in Pittsboro, NC?

The median gross rent in Pittsboro is $993 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Pittsboro?

The median home value in Pittsboro is $342,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Pittsboro?

The median household income in Pittsboro is $64,792 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Pittsboro, NC?

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

Is Pittsboro, NC affordable?

Pittsboro is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 98 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Pittsboro?

Pittsboro has average high temperatures of 71.2°F and average lows of 49.9°F. Annual precipitation is 43.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Pittsboro at a Glance

Population
4,640
Median Income
$64,792
Home Value
$342,800
Median Rent
$993/mo
Unemployment
2.1%
Avg High Temp
71.2°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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