Cost of Living in Royal Pines, NC
Population 4,528 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Royal Pines is a smaller North Carolina community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $105,956 and housing costs ($370,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 2.0% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Geographically, Royal Pines lies roughly 90 miles east of the nearest major metro, Knoxville. Median home values run roughly 73% higher than Knoxville's $214,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Royal Pines
The median home value in Royal Pines is $369,500 — 21% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,397/month, 6% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $105,956/year is 42% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.0%, 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 68.2°F and lows of 46.3°F, with about 10.3" of annual snowfall. Overall, Royal Pines has a cost of living index of 115 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 15% more expensive.
Royal Pines 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 | 49 | 53 | 60 | 69 | 76 | 83 | 85 | 84 | 79 | 70 | 60 | 52 |
| Low °F | 29 | 31 | 37 | 45 | 53 | 61 | 65 | 64 | 58 | 46 | 36 | 31 |
| Precip" | 4.13 | 3.46 | 3.80 | 4.17 | 4.13 | 4.79 | 4.67 | 5.04 | 4.13 | 3.37 | 3.72 | 4.18 |
| Snow" | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 2.5 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Royal Pines, NC?
Royal Pines has a cost index of 115 (100 = national average). It is 15% above the national average.
What is average rent in Royal Pines, NC?
The median gross rent in Royal Pines is $1,397 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Royal Pines?
The median home value in Royal Pines is $369,500 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in Royal Pines?
The median household income in Royal Pines is $105,956 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Royal Pines, NC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Royal Pines is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.
Is Royal Pines, NC affordable?
Royal Pines is above average in cost of living, with an index of 115 — about 15% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Royal Pines?
Royal Pines has average high temperatures of 68.2°F and average lows of 46.3°F. Annual precipitation is 49.6". Average annual snowfall is 10.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Royal Pines at a Glance
- Population
- 4,528
- Median Income
- $105,956
- Home Value
- $369,500
- Median Rent
- $1,397/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.0%
- Avg High Temp
- 68.2°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
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