Cost of Living in Sawmills, NC
Population 5,027 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Sawmills a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $181,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 8.6% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Sawmills is about 55 miles northwest of Charlotte, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 49% lower than Charlotte's $352,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Sawmills
The median home value in Sawmills is $180,500 — 41% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $719/month, 45% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,534/year is 24% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.6%, 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 69.1°F and lows of 48.9°F. Overall, Sawmills has a cost of living index of 57 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 43% less expensive.
Sawmills 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 | 61 | 70 | 77 | 84 | 87 | 86 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 52 |
| Low °F | 30 | 33 | 40 | 48 | 56 | 64 | 68 | 67 | 61 | 49 | 39 | 33 |
| Precip" | 3.81 | 3.21 | 4.08 | 4.08 | 3.86 | 4.35 | 4.29 | 4.58 | 3.93 | 3.49 | 3.62 | 3.85 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Sawmills, NC?
Sawmills has a cost index of 57 (100 = national average). It is 43% below the national average.
What is average rent in Sawmills, NC?
The median gross rent in Sawmills is $719 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Sawmills?
The median home value in Sawmills is $180,500 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Sawmills?
The median household income in Sawmills is $56,534 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Sawmills, NC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Sawmills is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.
Is Sawmills, NC affordable?
Yes, Sawmills 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 Sawmills?
Sawmills has average high temperatures of 69.1°F and average lows of 48.9°F. Annual precipitation is 47.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Sawmills at a Glance
- Population
- 5,027
- Median Income
- $56,534
- Home Value
- $180,500
- Median Rent
- $719/mo
- Unemployment
- 8.6%
- Avg High Temp
- 69.1°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
North Carolina Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs