Cost of Living in Rocky Mount, NC
Population 54,175 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
The Rocky Mount cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $148,000, rents near $919 a month. A poverty rate near 21% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Located 50 miles east of Raleigh, Rocky Mount falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 61% lower than Raleigh's $378,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Rocky Mount
The median home value in Rocky Mount is $148,300 — 51% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $919/month, 30% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,927/year is 29% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.1%, 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 71.8°F and lows of 49.3°F. Overall, Rocky Mount has a cost of living index of 57 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 43% less expensive.
🏠 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 |
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Rocky Mount, NC?
Rocky Mount has a cost index of 57 (100 = national average). It is 43% below the national average.
What is average rent in Rocky Mount, NC?
The median gross rent in Rocky Mount is $919 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Rocky Mount?
The median home value in Rocky Mount is $148,300 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Rocky Mount?
The median household income in Rocky Mount is $52,927 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Rocky Mount, NC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Rocky Mount is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.
Is Rocky Mount, NC affordable?
Yes, Rocky Mount is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 57 — about 43% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Rocky Mount?
Rocky Mount 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.
Rocky Mount at a Glance
- Population
- 54,175
- Median Income
- $52,927
- Home Value
- $148,300
- Median Rent
- $919/mo
- Unemployment
- 8.1%
- Avg High Temp
- 71.8°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
North Carolina Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
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