Counties › North Carolina

Cost of Living in New Hanover County, NC

Population 235,229 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,417
Median home value$387,800
Median household income$75,166

The median rent in New Hanover County, NC is $1,417/month, 15% higher than the North Carolina median and about the same as the U.S. median. The median home value is $387,800, 17% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $75,166 a year, 4% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 22.6%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $56,680/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 5.2×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,961/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

New Hanover County vs. North Carolina vs. U.S.

New Hanover CountyNorth CarolinaU.S.
Median rent$1,417$1,228$1,413
Median home value$387,800$288,900$332,700
Median household income$75,166$72,388$80,734
Homeownership rate61.4%66.6%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher45.4%35.7%35.7%
Poverty rate12.3%13.0%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.5%4.7%5.2%
Work from home19.4%16.3%15.1%
Median age39.939.138.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in New Hanover County, NC?

The median gross rent in New Hanover County, NC is $1,417 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

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

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $56,680 a year in gross income.

Is New Hanover County, NC expensive to live in?

Rent there is about the same as 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

Williamsburg city, VARent $1,407 · Income $75,604Harris County, TXRent $1,401 · Income $74,983Tompkins County, NYRent $1,411 · Income $74,024Fresno County, CARent $1,392 · Income $74,201Marion County, ORRent $1,414 · Income $77,351Madera County, CARent $1,390 · Income $76,627

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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