Laurel Hill is a small town of 869 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $23,086
and a 17.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100), which is
12% below the national average.
Strengths:
Laurel Hill 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 Laurel Hill is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Laurel Hill 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: 88.4
Laurel Hill's overall cost of living index is 88.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Laurel Hill costs roughly 12% less than the average American city.
Metric
Laurel Hill, NC
National Avg
Median Home Value
$80,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$885
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
64.0%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$23,086
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
Laurel Hill's violent crime rate is 1168.8 per 100,000 residents
— 208% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
1168.8 /100k
Property Crime
3334.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Laurel Hill is served primarily by Scotland County Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Laurel Hill, NC
National Avg
School District
Scotland County Schools
—
Elementary Schools
5
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
7.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
81.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Laurel Hill sees average highs of 55.0°F in January
and 93.0°F in July,
with 46.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 1.1 inches of snow per year.
Laurel Hill's cost of living index is 88, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Laurel Hill roughly 12% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $80,000 and median rent is $885/month.
Laurel Hill's violent crime rate is 1168.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3334.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Laurel Hill are operated by Scotland County Schools.
The district has 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.2:1. 7.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Laurel Hill, NC has a population of 869, a median household income of $23,086, and an unemployment rate of 17.9%.
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.
Laurel Hill averages 55.0°F in January and 93.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 46.6 inches
with about 1.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Laurel Hill, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code: 28351.
The population of Laurel Hill, North Carolina is 869 with a median age of 40.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Laurel Hill: cost of living index 88 (100 = US average), median home $80,000, median household income $23,086, crime index 248 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Laurel Hill side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
