Counties › North Carolina

Cost of Living in Clay County, NC

Population 11,610 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$804
Median home value$278,400
Median household income$56,971

The median rent in Clay County, NC is $804/month, 35% lower than the North Carolina median and 43% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $278,400, 16% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $56,971 a year, 21% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 16.9%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $32,160/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 4.9×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,408/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Clay County vs. North Carolina vs. U.S.

Clay CountyNorth CarolinaU.S.
Median rent$804$1,228$1,413
Median home value$278,400$288,900$332,700
Median household income$56,971$72,388$80,734
Homeownership rate81.2%66.6%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher31.8%35.7%35.7%
Poverty rate12.9%13.0%12.5%
Unemployment rate2.6%4.7%5.2%
Work from home8.1%16.3%15.1%
Median age55.039.138.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Clay County, NC?

The median gross rent in Clay County, NC is $804 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Clay County, NC?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $32,160 a year in gross income.

Is Clay County, NC expensive to live in?

Rent there is 43% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 4.9 times the median household income.

Other counties in North Carolina

Wake County, NCRent $1,623 · Income $105,768Mecklenburg County, NCRent $1,627 · Income $87,005Guilford County, NCRent $1,163 · Income $68,642Forsyth County, NCRent $1,098 · Income $67,165Cumberland County, NCRent $1,222 · Income $61,291Durham County, NCRent $1,508 · Income $82,316

Counties with a similar cost of living

Franklin County, ILRent $803 · Income $56,740Winston County, ALRent $803 · Income $57,256Gallia County, OHRent $813 · Income $56,830Wabash County, ILRent $794 · Income $57,086Belmont County, OHRent $793 · Income $57,017Mahoning County, OHRent $791 · Income $56,942

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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