Cost of Living in Washington 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 Washington County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Washington County ranks #817 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 26%)
Sourced county brief
Washington County Median GRAPI Estimated at 29.6 Percent
The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) in Washington County, North Carolina, was 29.6% according to ACS table B25071. This figure differs from the North Carolina unweighted county mean of 28.9% by 0.7 percentage points. The median gross rent for the county was $743 per month, which is $234 below the state unweighted county mean of $977. Regarding homeownership, the median home value was estimated at $125,900, while the state unweighted county mean was $235,312. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $760, compared to a state unweighted county mean of $927. The median renter-household income for Washington County was $25,355 during this period. These data points from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates describe housing tenure and cost metrics without incorporating broader market trends or external economic factors. 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: Washington County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.6% of renter household income in Washington 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 $743 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $760. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $29,720 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. Washington County's $743 median is 23.9% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Washington County
Rent Burden
21.3%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$976
per month
Owner Cost Burden
21.8%
of gross income
The median home in Washington County may be a stretch
Median home value is $125,900. Estimated monthly cost: $1,005 vs. your max of $976.
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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