Burnsville is a small town of 2,380 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $39,018
and a 6.0% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is
8% below the national average.
Strengths:
Burnsville stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Burnsville is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Burnsville 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: 92.2
Burnsville's overall cost of living index is 92.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Burnsville costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.
Metric
Burnsville, NC
National Avg
Median Home Value
$211,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$774
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
51.1%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$39,018
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Burnsville's violent crime rate is 83.0 per 100,000 residents
— 78% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
83.0 /100k
Property Crime
309.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Burnsville is served primarily by Yancey County Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.9:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Burnsville, NC
National Avg
School District
Yancey County Schools
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
21.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
88.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Burnsville sees average highs of 44.5°F in January
and 83.2°F in July,
with 45.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 12.7 inches of snow per year.
Burnsville's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Burnsville roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $211,400 and median rent is $774/month.
Burnsville's violent crime rate is 83.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 309.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Burnsville are operated by Yancey County Schools.
The district has 3 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.9:1. 21.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Burnsville, NC has a population of 2,380, a median household income of $39,018, and an unemployment rate of 6.0%.
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.
Burnsville averages 44.5°F in January and 83.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.9 inches
with about 12.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Burnsville, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code: 28714.
The population of Burnsville, North Carolina is 2,380 with a median age of 37.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Burnsville: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $211,400, median household income $39,018, crime index 19 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Burnsville side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
