Cost of Living in Selma, NC
Population 6,611 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Household incomes in Selma run well below national norms — a median of $37,440 versus the $74,580 US figure. Housing costs partially offset that gap (typical home values around $161,000). A poverty rate near 27% 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.
Selma is about 30 miles southeast 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 57% lower than Raleigh's $378,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Selma
The median home value in Selma is $161,100 — 47% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $824/month, 37% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $37,440/year is 50% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.2%, 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 73.6°F and lows of 53.1°F, with about 2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Selma has a cost of living index of 57 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 43% less expensive.
Selma 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 | 54 | 58 | 65 | 75 | 82 | 88 | 91 | 89 | 83 | 75 | 66 | 57 |
| Low °F | 35 | 36 | 43 | 51 | 60 | 69 | 72 | 71 | 66 | 54 | 43 | 37 |
| Precip" | 3.55 | 3.24 | 4.22 | 3.90 | 3.52 | 4.40 | 5.42 | 6.42 | 7.03 | 3.79 | 3.17 | 3.60 |
| Snow" | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Selma, NC?
Selma has a cost index of 57 (100 = national average). It is 43% below the national average.
What is average rent in Selma, NC?
The median gross rent in Selma is $824 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Selma?
The median home value in Selma is $161,100 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Selma?
The median household income in Selma is $37,440 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Selma, NC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Selma is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.
Is Selma, NC affordable?
Yes, Selma 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 Selma?
Selma has average high temperatures of 73.6°F and average lows of 53.1°F. Annual precipitation is 52.3". Average annual snowfall is 2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Selma at a Glance
- Population
- 6,611
- Median Income
- $37,440
- Home Value
- $161,100
- Median Rent
- $824/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.2%
- Avg High Temp
- 73.6°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
North Carolina Rankings
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