Very AffordableSafer than AverageCherokee County Schools
Murphy, N.C. next to the Hiwassee River on Sep. 15, 2022 · Harrison Keely / CC BY 4.0Overlooking Murphy, North Carolina - NARA - 279828 · Tennessee Valley Authority / Public domainMurphy High School in Murphy, North Carolina · Harrison Keely / CC BY 4.0Local TV 4 is a television news station based in Murphy, N.C · Harrison Keely / CC BY 4.0
Murphy is a small town of 1,549 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $34,283
and a 7.7% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100), which is
12% below the national average.
Strengths:
Murphy 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 Murphy is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Murphy 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: 87.5
Murphy's overall cost of living index is 87.5,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Murphy costs roughly 12% less than the average American city.
Metric
Murphy, NC
National Avg
Median Home Value
$185,100
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$468
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
42.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$34,283
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Murphy's violent crime rate is 220.2 per 100,000 residents
— 42% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
220.2 /100k
Property Crime
1831.4 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Murphy is served primarily by Cherokee County Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.7:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Murphy, NC
National Avg
School District
Cherokee County Schools
—
Elementary Schools
5
—
Middle Schools
3
—
High Schools
5
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
24.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
87.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Murphy sees average highs of 49.8°F in January
and 86.6°F in July,
with 59.3 inches of annual precipitation
and 4.4 inches of snow per year.
Murphy's cost of living index is 88, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Murphy roughly 12% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $185,100 and median rent is $468/month.
Murphy's violent crime rate is 220.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1831.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Murphy are operated by Cherokee County Schools.
The district has 5 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.7:1. 24.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Murphy, NC has a population of 1,549, a median household income of $34,283, and an unemployment rate of 7.7%.
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.
Murphy averages 49.8°F in January and 86.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 59.3 inches
with about 4.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Murphy, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code: 28906.
The population of Murphy, North Carolina is 1,549 with a median age of 37.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Murphy: cost of living index 88 (100 = US average), median home $185,100, median household income $34,283, crime index 70 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Murphy side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
