Raeford is a small town of 4,570 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $38,371
and a 4.3% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Raeford stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Raeford is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Raeford 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: 91.4
Raeford's overall cost of living index is 91.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Raeford costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Raeford, NC
National Avg
Median Home Value
$141,300
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$757
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
52.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$38,371
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Raeford's violent crime rate is 110.2 per 100,000 residents
— 71% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
110.2 /100k
Property Crime
1432.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Raeford is served primarily by Hoke County Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Raeford, NC
National Avg
School District
Hoke County Schools
—
Elementary Schools
8
—
Middle Schools
3
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
19.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
85.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Raeford sees average highs of 52.9°F in January
and 89.5°F in July,
with 48.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 2.8 inches of snow per year.
Raeford's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Raeford roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $141,300 and median rent is $757/month.
Raeford's violent crime rate is 110.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1432.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Raeford are operated by Hoke County Schools.
The district has 8 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.8:1. 19.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Raeford, NC has a population of 4,570, a median household income of $38,371, and an unemployment rate of 4.3%.
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.
Raeford averages 52.9°F in January and 89.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 48.6 inches
with about 2.8 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Raeford, North Carolina is 4,570 with a median age of 38.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Raeford: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $141,300, median household income $38,371, crime index 45 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Raeford side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
