Cost of Living in Whiteville, NC

Population 4,721 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

56
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $38,004, median household incomes in Whiteville land roughly 49% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators.

Geographically, Whiteville is about 45 miles west of Wilmington, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 51% lower than Wilmington's $350,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 57
Rent 55

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

About the Cost of Living in Whiteville

The median home value in Whiteville is $173,100 — 43% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $718/month, 45% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $38,004/year is 49% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.2%, 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 74.0°F and lows of 52.9°F. Overall, Whiteville has a cost of living index of 56 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 44% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$173,100
43% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$187,483
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$718/mo
45% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,480/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.1x
Favors renting
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 46.2%
Renter-occupied 53.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$718
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,332/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
29.3 min
9% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
1.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
83.6%
Carpooled
10.5%
Walked
3.5%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
1.9%

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
$38,004
49% below avg
Per Capita Income
$25,571
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
14% below avg
Poverty Rate
16.2%
Labor Force Participation
57.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.6%
Graduate degree 11.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.6
Male median age 36.8
Female median age 37.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
74.0°F
Avg Low
52.9°F
Annual Precip
42.6"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 555966758389918984766658
Low °F 353743516069727165534238
Precip" 2.552.773.262.853.414.924.614.774.932.292.953.31

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87.7%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15:1
Student-teacher ratio
22
Public schools
7,869
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Whiteville, NC?

Whiteville has a cost index of 56 (100 = national average). It is 44% below the national average.

What is average rent in Whiteville, NC?

The median gross rent in Whiteville is $718 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Whiteville?

The median home value in Whiteville is $173,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Whiteville?

The median household income in Whiteville is $38,004 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Whiteville, NC?

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

Is Whiteville, NC affordable?

Yes, Whiteville is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 56 — about 44% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Whiteville?

Whiteville has average high temperatures of 74.0°F and average lows of 52.9°F. Annual precipitation is 42.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Whiteville at a Glance

Population
4,721
Median Income
$38,004
Home Value
$173,100
Median Rent
$718/mo
Unemployment
4.2%
Avg High Temp
74.0°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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