Cost of Living in Clay County, North Carolina
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Clay County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Clay County ranks #1,237 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 39%)
Sourced county brief
Clay County Renter Median Income Estimated at $48,243
Clay County's renter-household median income was estimated at $48,243, while the median household income for all residents was $56,971. The official Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (GRAPI) was 20.0%, which is 8.9 percentage points lower than the North Carolina unweighted county mean of 28.9%. Median gross rent in the county was $804 per month, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $977. The median home value was $278,400, which is higher than the state unweighted county mean of $235,312. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $807, below the North Carolina unweighted county mean of $927. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Clay County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 20.0% of renter household income in Clay County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $804 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $807. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $32,160 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The North Carolina unweighted mean of county median rents is $977 per month. Clay County's $804 median is 17.7% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Clay County
Rent Burden
16.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,329
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.0%
of gross income
The median home in Clay County may be a stretch
Median home value is $278,400. Estimated monthly cost: $2,223 vs. your max of $1,329.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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