Clinton is a small town of 8,362 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $38,880
and a 4.6% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Clinton stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index. Whether Clinton is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Clinton 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: 90.2
Clinton's overall cost of living index is 90.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Clinton costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Clinton, NC
National Avg
Median Home Value
$159,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$720
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
47.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$38,880
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Higher than Average
Clinton's violent crime rate is 566.3 per 100,000 residents
— 49% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
566.3 /100k
Property Crime
3277.1 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Clinton is served primarily by Clinton City Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Clinton, NC
National Avg
School District
Clinton City Schools
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
20.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
80.7%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Clinton sees average highs of 53.0°F in January
and 89.5°F in July,
with 51.0 inches of annual precipitation
and 1.8 inches of snow per year.
Clinton's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Clinton roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $159,700 and median rent is $720/month.
Clinton's violent crime rate is 566.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3277.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Clinton are operated by Clinton City Schools.
The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.8:1. 20.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Clinton, NC has a population of 8,362, a median household income of $38,880, and an unemployment rate of 4.6%.
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.
Clinton averages 53.0°F in January and 89.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 51.0 inches
with about 1.8 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Clinton, North Carolina is 8,362 with a median age of 41.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Clinton: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $159,700, median household income $38,880, crime index 152 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Clinton side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
