South Wallins is a small town of 976 in Kentucky, with a median household income of $52,833
and a 9.0% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 85 (US average = 100), which is
15% below the national average.
Strengths:
South Wallins stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether South Wallins is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All South Wallins city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 85.4
South Wallins's overall cost of living index is 85.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in South Wallins costs roughly 15% less than the average American city.
Metric
South Wallins, KY
National Avg
Median Home Value
$57,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$784
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
67.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$52,833
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
South Wallins's violent crime rate is 38.4 per 100,000 residents
— 90% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
38.4 /100k
Property Crime
246.1 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
South Wallins is served primarily by Harlan County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
South Wallins, KY
National Avg
School District
Harlan County
—
Elementary Schools
8
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
11.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
79.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
South Wallins sees average highs of 45.2°F in January
and 85.0°F in July,
with 52.2 inches of annual precipitation
and 10.1 inches of snow per year.
South Wallins's cost of living index is 85, where 100 is the national average.
That makes South Wallins roughly 15% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $57,700 and median rent is $784/month.
South Wallins's violent crime rate is 38.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 246.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in South Wallins are operated by Harlan County.
The district has 8 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1. 11.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
South Wallins, KY has a population of 976, a median household income of $52,833, and an unemployment rate of 9.0%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
South Wallins averages 45.2°F in January and 85.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 52.2 inches
with about 10.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
South Wallins, KY is covered by 1 ZIP code: 40873.
The population of South Wallins, Kentucky is 976 with a median age of 34.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in South Wallins: cost of living index 85 (100 = US average), median home $57,700, median household income $52,833, crime index 11 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare South Wallins side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.