Cost of Living in Swain County, North Carolina
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Swain County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Swain County ranks #1,336 of 3,144 counties for affordability (top 42%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Swain County, North Carolina
Swain rents are North Carolina's lowest
Swain County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% sits comfortably below North Carolina's 18.6% average, and its median rent of $715/month is the lowest in this entire dataset. For renters earning $55,429 annually, Swain delivers genuine affordability.
Lowest rents in the state sample
At just $715/month, Swain's median rent is $223 below the North Carolina state average of $938, while the 15.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks well above the state average. This positions Swain as exceptionally affordable by state standards.
Swain dominates on rental affordability
Swain's $715 rent beats every comparable county—Stokes ($766), Surry ($741), Sampson ($811), and others by significant margins. The standout is the $464/month owner cost, the region's lowest, reflecting Swain's unique combination of ultra-affordable housing.
Mountain living at remarkably low cost
Swain renters dedicate just 15.5% of their $55,429 income to $715/month rent—excellent by any standard. Homeowners pay an astonishingly low $464/month, though the median home value of $209,800 suggests strong property appreciation potential.
Swain: mountain bargain you won't find elsewhere
Relocating to Swain County means claiming North Carolina's lowest rents ($715/month) and owner costs ($464/month). If mountain living and exceptional affordability appeal to you, Swain delivers both—though demand for this rare combination is rising.
Cost of Living Advisory: Swain County
Affordability Verdict
Swain County offers affordable rental housing at a median of $715/month — about 15.5% of the typical household income here.
Rent vs. Own
At $715/month rent versus $464/month in owner costs, owning is roughly $251/month cheaper — a 35% difference.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $28,600/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $19,886/year. With a median household income of $55,429, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 23.0% of renter households in Swain County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Compared to Chowan County where rent averages $766/month, Swain County is approximately 7% less expensive.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Swain County
Rent Burden
15.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,293
per month
Owner Cost Burden
10.0%
of gross income
The median home in Swain County may be a stretch
Median home value is $209,800. Estimated monthly cost: $1,675 vs. your max of $1,293.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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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 (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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