Cost of Living in Silver Lake, NC

Population 6,242 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

96
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Silver Lake is a smaller North Carolina community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $73,277 and housing costs ($288,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Silver Lake sits roughly 5 miles south of Wilmington — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 18% lower than Wilmington's $350,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 94
Rent 98

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

About the Cost of Living in Silver Lake

The median home value in Silver Lake is $287,500 — 6% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,289/month, 2% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $73,277/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.7%, 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 74.4°F and lows of 54.4°F. Overall, Silver Lake has a cost of living index of 96 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 4% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$287,500
6% below avg
Median Rent
$1,289/mo
2% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6x
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 78.6%
Renter-occupied 21.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,289
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,903/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
24.7 min
9% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.2%
Carpooled
7.2%
Public transit
0.9%
Walked
1.0%
Work from home
10.3%

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
$73,277
2% below avg
Per Capita Income
$38,044
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
22% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Labor Force Participation
67.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.3%
Graduate degree 12.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.6
Male median age 41.2
Female median age 46.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
74.4°F
Avg Low
54.4°F
Annual Precip
60.1"
Annual Snowfall
0.9"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 576067758187908884766760
Low °F 363844536169737267564539
Precip" 3.813.473.973.074.545.676.868.168.694.663.563.69
Snow" 0.70.20.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
65.5%
Good air days/yr
142
Max AQI recorded
271
PM2.5 days
91
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Silver Lake, NC?

Silver Lake has a cost index of 96 (100 = national average). It is 4% below the national average.

What is average rent in Silver Lake, NC?

The median gross rent in Silver Lake is $1,289 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Silver Lake?

The median home value in Silver Lake is $287,500 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Silver Lake?

The median household income in Silver Lake is $73,277 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Silver Lake, NC?

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

Is Silver Lake, NC affordable?

Silver Lake is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 96 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Silver Lake?

Silver Lake has average high temperatures of 74.4°F and average lows of 54.4°F. Annual precipitation is 60.1". Average annual snowfall is 0.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Silver Lake at a Glance

Population
6,242
Median Income
$73,277
Home Value
$287,500
Median Rent
$1,289/mo
Unemployment
3.7%
Avg High Temp
74.4°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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