Cost of Living in Red Oak, NC
Population 3,372 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Red Oak is a smaller North Carolina community of around 3000 residents, where median household incomes of $81,464 and housing costs ($236,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 0.0% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Red Oak is about 45 miles east of Raleigh, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 37% lower than Raleigh's $378,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Red Oak
The median home value in Red Oak is $236,200 — 23% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $818/month, 38% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $81,464/year is 9% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.0%, 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 71.8°F and lows of 49.3°F. Overall, Red Oak has a cost of living index of 71 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 29% less expensive.
Red Oak 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 | 52 | 55 | 63 | 73 | 80 | 87 | 91 | 88 | 83 | 73 | 63 | 55 |
| Low °F | 31 | 33 | 39 | 48 | 56 | 65 | 69 | 68 | 62 | 50 | 39 | 34 |
| Precip" | 3.51 | 2.87 | 3.97 | 3.61 | 2.92 | 3.90 | 4.59 | 4.92 | 4.91 | 3.16 | 3.09 | 2.93 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Red Oak, NC?
Red Oak has a cost index of 71 (100 = national average). It is 29% below the national average.
What is average rent in Red Oak, NC?
The median gross rent in Red Oak is $818 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Red Oak?
The median home value in Red Oak is $236,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Red Oak?
The median household income in Red Oak is $81,464 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Red Oak, NC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Red Oak is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.
Is Red Oak, NC affordable?
Yes, Red Oak is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 71 — about 29% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Red Oak?
Red Oak has average high temperatures of 71.8°F and average lows of 49.3°F. Annual precipitation is 44.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Red Oak at a Glance
- Population
- 3,372
- Median Income
- $81,464
- Home Value
- $236,200
- Median Rent
- $818/mo
- Unemployment
- 0.0%
- Avg High Temp
- 71.8°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
North Carolina Rankings
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