Cost of Living in Watauga 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 Watauga County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Watauga County ranks #2,300 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 27%)
Sourced county brief
Watauga County Official Rent Burden Estimated at 45.9 Percent
In Watauga County, the official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 45.9 percent. This figure is 17.0 percentage points higher than the North Carolina unweighted county mean of 28.9 percent. The median gross rent in the county was $1,127 per month, compared to the unweighted state mean of $977. Median home values in Watauga County were estimated at $358,900, while the unweighted county mean for the state was $235,312. For homeowners, median selected monthly owner costs for all units were $961. Renter households had a median income of $30,164. These statistics represent the 2020-2024 American Community Survey period. All data used in this report are verbatim from official Census tables. 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: Watauga County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 45.9% of renter household income in Watauga County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,127 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $961. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $45,080 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. Watauga County's $1,127 median is 15.4% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Watauga County
Rent Burden
26.2%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,206
per month
Owner Cost Burden
22.3%
of gross income
The median home in Watauga County may be a stretch
Median home value is $358,900. Estimated monthly cost: $2,865 vs. your max of $1,206.
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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