Downtown Hayesville, North Carolina, on July 7, 2023 · Harrison Keely / CC BY 4.0The historic Clay County courthouse in downtown Hayesville, N.C. on July 10, 2022 · Harrison Keely / CC BY 4.0The first train from Hayesville NC arrives at Tusquittee station · Gideon Thomas Laney / Public domainThe Peacock Performing Arts Center in Hayesville, North Carolina · Harrison Keely / CC BY 4.0
Hayesville is a small town of 629 in North Carolina, with a median household income of N/A
and a 0.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is
8% below the national average.
Strengths:
Hayesville stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Hayesville is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Hayesville 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
Hayesville's overall cost of living index is 92.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Hayesville costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.
Metric
Hayesville, NC
National Avg
Median Home Value
$193,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$816
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
40.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
N/A
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Hayesville's violent crime rate is 169.2 per 100,000 residents
— 55% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
169.2 /100k
Property Crime
1371.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Hayesville is served primarily by Clay County Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Hayesville, NC
National Avg
School District
Clay County Schools
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
12.8%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
72.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Hayesville sees average highs of 49.0°F in January
and 84.3°F in July,
with 65.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 4.4 inches of snow per year.
Hayesville's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Hayesville roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $193,800 and median rent is $816/month.
Hayesville's violent crime rate is 169.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1371.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Hayesville are operated by Clay County Schools.
The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1. 12.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Hayesville, NC has a population of 629, a median household income of N/A, and an unemployment rate of 0.8%.
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.
Hayesville averages 49.0°F in January and 84.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 65.7 inches
with about 4.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Hayesville, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code: 28904.
The population of Hayesville, North Carolina is 629 with a median age of 42.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Hayesville: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $193,800, median household income N/A, crime index 53 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Hayesville side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
