Counties › North Carolina

Cost of Living in Dare County, NC

Population 37,875 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,345
Median home value$460,400
Median household income$88,994

The median rent in Dare County, NC is $1,345/month, 10% higher than the North Carolina median and 5% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $460,400, 38% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $88,994 a year, 23% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 18.1%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $53,800/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 5.2×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $2,328/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Dare County vs. North Carolina vs. U.S.

Dare CountyNorth CarolinaU.S.
Median rent$1,345$1,228$1,413
Median home value$460,400$288,900$332,700
Median household income$88,994$72,388$80,734
Homeownership rate78.4%66.6%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher43.2%35.7%35.7%
Poverty rate6.6%13.0%12.5%
Unemployment rate5.9%4.7%5.2%
Work from home14.2%16.3%15.1%
Median age49.039.138.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Dare County, NC?

The median gross rent in Dare County, NC is $1,345 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

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

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $53,800 a year in gross income.

Is Dare County, NC expensive to live in?

Rent there is 5% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 5.2 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

Cheatham County, TNRent $1,345 · Income $89,852York County, MERent $1,339 · Income $88,333Delaware County, PARent $1,372 · Income $89,546Lancaster County, PARent $1,357 · Income $86,959York County, SCRent $1,387 · Income $89,095Cape May County, NJRent $1,360 · Income $91,128

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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