Cost of Living in Wilkes 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 Wilkes County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Wilkes County ranks #325 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 10%)
Sourced county brief
Wilkes County Median Monthly Owner Costs Estimated at 580 Dollars
Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units in Wilkes County were estimated at $580 per month, which is $347 below the North Carolina unweighted county mean of $927. For renters, the median gross rent was $723 per month, compared to a state unweighted county mean of $977. The official gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) from ACS table B25071 was 27.2%. This canonical rent-to-income percentage is 1.7 percentage points lower than the state's unweighted county mean official GRAPI of 28.9%. In terms of property value, the median home value in the county was $168,800, positioned below the state unweighted county mean of $235,312. Median renter-household income for the period was $34,176, while the median income for all households was $51,721. These figures provide a snapshot of housing costs relative to income levels across different tenure types within the county for the 2020-2024 period. 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: Wilkes County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 27.2% of renter household income in Wilkes 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 $723 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $580. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $28,920 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. Wilkes County's $723 median is 26.0% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Wilkes County
Rent Burden
16.8%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,207
per month
Owner Cost Burden
13.5%
of gross income
The median home in Wilkes County may be a stretch
Median home value is $168,800. Estimated monthly cost: $1,348 vs. your max of $1,207.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
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
What is the cost of living in Wilkes County, North Carolina?
What is the median rent in Wilkes County?
Is Wilkes County affordable?
How does Wilkes County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Wilkes County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Wilkes County, North Carolina? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Wilkes County
Whether you're buying in Wilkes County, North Carolina, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
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.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.