Bethel is a small town of 1,604 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $51,107
and a 7.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is
8% below the national average.
Strengths:
Bethel stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Bethel is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Bethel 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: 91.6
Bethel's overall cost of living index is 91.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Bethel costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.
Metric
Bethel, NC
National Avg
Median Home Value
$104,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$710
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
67.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$51,107
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Bethel's violent crime rate is 369.0 per 100,000 residents
— 3% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
369.0 /100k
Property Crime
1953.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Bethel is served primarily by Pitt County Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.3:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Bethel, NC
National Avg
School District
Pitt County Schools
—
Elementary Schools
23
—
Middle Schools
7
—
High Schools
8
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
19.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
84.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Bethel sees average highs of 51.4°F in January
and 89.3°F in July,
with 51.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 4.8 inches of snow per year.
Bethel's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Bethel roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $104,700 and median rent is $710/month.
Bethel's violent crime rate is 369.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1953.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Bethel are operated by Pitt County Schools.
The district has 23 elementary, 7 middle, and 8 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.3:1. 19.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Bethel, NC has a population of 1,604, a median household income of $51,107, and an unemployment rate of 7.5%.
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.
Bethel averages 51.4°F in January and 89.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 51.4 inches
with about 4.8 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Bethel, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code: 27812.
The population of Bethel, North Carolina is 1,604 with a median age of 42.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Bethel: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $104,700, median household income $51,107, crime index 95 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Bethel side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
