Cost of Living in Rural Hall, NC

Population 3,421 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

66
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Rural Hall a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $184,000. At 10.3%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 9 miles north of Winston-Salem, Rural Hall falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 12% lower than Winston-Salem's $208,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 60
Rent 76

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

About the Cost of Living in Rural Hall

The median home value in Rural Hall is $183,800 — 40% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $995/month, 24% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,665/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.3%, 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 69.4°F and lows of 49.6°F. Overall, Rural Hall has a cost of living index of 66 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 34% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$183,800
40% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$270,414
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$995/mo
24% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4x
Favors buying
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 68.0%
Renter-occupied 31.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$995
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,609/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
28.6 min
6% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
14.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.0%
Carpooled
7.1%
Walked
2.3%
Work from home
14.7%

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
$50,665
32% below avg
Per Capita Income
$34,262
Unemployment Rate
10.3%
113% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Labor Force Participation
54.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.6%
Graduate degree 7.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.6
Male median age 39.1
Female median age 42.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
69.4°F
Avg Low
49.6°F
Annual Precip
43.2"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 495361717885888680716052
Low °F 313340485765696861493934
Precip" 3.352.893.603.713.763.644.244.513.863.283.063.30

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
45.2%
Good air days/yr
154
Max AQI recorded
251
PM2.5 days
111
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Rural Hall, NC?

Rural Hall has a cost index of 66 (100 = national average). It is 34% below the national average.

What is average rent in Rural Hall, NC?

The median gross rent in Rural Hall is $995 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Rural Hall?

The median home value in Rural Hall is $183,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Rural Hall?

The median household income in Rural Hall is $50,665 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Rural Hall, NC?

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

Is Rural Hall, NC affordable?

Yes, Rural Hall is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 66 — about 34% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Rural Hall?

Rural Hall has average high temperatures of 69.4°F and average lows of 49.6°F. Annual precipitation is 43.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Rural Hall at a Glance

Population
3,421
Median Income
$50,665
Home Value
$183,800
Median Rent
$995/mo
Unemployment
10.3%
Avg High Temp
69.4°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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🗺️ County data for North Carolina

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