Elm City is a small town of 1,157 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $48,125
and a 6.3% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Elm City 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 Elm City is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Elm City 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: 88.6
Elm City's overall cost of living index is 88.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Elm City costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Elm City, NC
National Avg
Median Home Value
$97,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$804
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
68.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$48,125
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Elm City's violent crime rate is 399.8 per 100,000 residents
— 5% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
399.8 /100k
Property Crime
1633.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Elm City is served primarily by Wilson County Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.2:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Elm City, NC
National Avg
School District
Wilson County Schools
—
Elementary Schools
13
—
Middle Schools
5
—
High Schools
6
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
16.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
84.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Elm City sees average highs of 51.8°F in January
and 90.5°F in July,
with 44.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 1.9 inches of snow per year.
Elm City's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Elm City roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $97,000 and median rent is $804/month.
Elm City's violent crime rate is 399.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1633.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Elm City are operated by Wilson County Schools.
The district has 13 elementary, 5 middle, and 6 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.2:1. 16.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Elm City, NC has a population of 1,157, a median household income of $48,125, and an unemployment rate of 6.3%.
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.
Elm City averages 51.8°F in January and 90.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 44.4 inches
with about 1.9 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Elm City, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code: 27822.
The population of Elm City, North Carolina is 1,157 with a median age of 48.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Elm City: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $97,000, median household income $48,125, crime index 94 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Elm City side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
