North Carolina · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Scotland County, NC

Prices around Scotland County, NC run 5.7% below the U.S. average (BEA, North Carolina). The typical household there earns $45,730 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $925 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $37,000 a year.

Scotland County, NC at a glance

Median household income

$45,730$3,811 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$925HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)94.3-5.7% · BEA, North Carolina
Electricity14.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential NC
Population33,590Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Scotland County, NC?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$925Monthly market rent
Share of gross income24.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$37,000To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,143At 30% of $45,730
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Scotland County, NC? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Scotland County, NC, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Scotland County, NC, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$750$9,000$30,00019.7%
1-Bedroom Apartment$755$9,060$30,20019.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$925$11,100$37,00024.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,244$14,928$49,76032.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,249$14,988$49,96032.8%

Rent in Scotland County, NC, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Scotland County, NC

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $45,730 a year ($3,811 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$1,905/moRent ($925 2-BR), utilities (~$133/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,143/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$762/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $45,730 leaves after North Carolina taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and North Carolina tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$45,730
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$45,730
Net 82%
Fed 7%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,608After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,134Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,446Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,308 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,316 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,498 / yr

Living in Scotland County, NC: common questions

What is the median household income in Scotland County, NC?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Scotland County, NC is $45,730 per year (approximately $3,811 per month).

What is the average rent in Scotland County, NC?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $750 for a studio, $755 for one bedroom, $925 for two, $1,244 for three and $1,249 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Scotland County, NC expensive to live in?

Prices there run 5.7% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for North Carolina is 94.3, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Scotland County, NC?

To keep a $925 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $37,000 a year, or $3,083 a month. That is 81% of what the typical household in Scotland County, NC earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Scotland County, NC?

On the local median income of $45,730 ($3,811 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $1,905 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,143 for everything else and $762 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $925 takes 49% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Scotland County, NC?

Homes in North Carolina paid 14.7¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $133. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.