North Carolina · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Transylvania County, NC

Prices around Transylvania County, NC run 5.7% below the U.S. average (BEA, North Carolina). The typical household there earns $66,184 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,363 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $54,520 a year.

Transylvania County, NC at a glance

Median household income

$66,184$5,515 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,363HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)94.3-5.7% · BEA, North Carolina
Electricity14.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential NC
Population33,691Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Transylvania 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$1,363Monthly market rent
Share of gross income24.7%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$54,520To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,655At 30% of $66,184
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Transylvania County, NC, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,032$12,384$41,28018.7%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,039$12,468$41,56018.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,363$16,356$54,52024.7%
3-Bedroom Home$1,634$19,608$65,36029.6%
4-Bedroom Home$2,048$24,576$81,92037.1%

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

What a typical income covers in Transylvania County, NC

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $66,184 a year ($5,515 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,758/moRent ($1,363 2-BR), utilities (~$133/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,655/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,103/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $66,184 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.

$66,184
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$66,184
Net 80%
Fed 9%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$53,227After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,436Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,047Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,762 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$2,132 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,063 / yr

Living in Transylvania County, NC: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Transylvania County, NC is $66,184 per year (approximately $5,515 per month).

What is the average rent in Transylvania County, NC?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,032 for a studio, $1,039 for one bedroom, $1,363 for two, $1,634 for three and $2,048 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 Transylvania 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 Transylvania County, NC?

To keep a $1,363 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $54,520 a year, or $4,543 a month. That is 82% of what the typical household in Transylvania County, NC earns.

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

On the local median income of $66,184 ($5,515 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,758 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,655 for everything else and $1,103 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,363 takes 49% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Transylvania 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.