salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.9 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 32.7 minutes each way. Most homes (86.9%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $37,680 a year. That is $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of North Carolina. It is number 21 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Locust?
Share of households by yearly income. 24.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Locust
| Size | Locust | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $875 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,394 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,708 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Locust overall?
Everyday prices in North Carolina overall are 6% below the U.S. average (index 94.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Locust, so the North Carolina figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Locust
Life in Locust
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Locust?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,293 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $322,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $32,210 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Locust, NC?
Renting in Locust costs a median of about $942 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Locust?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $37,680 a year, or $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Locust cheap or expensive?
Locust is rated Cheap: rent takes 13.7% of the typical household income of $82,510. It ranks 21st cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Locust?
The median homeowner in Locust pays $2,136 a year in property taxes, about 0.66% of the median home value.
Is Locust more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in North Carolina are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Locust?
The median home value in Locust is $322,100, about 3.9 times the typical yearly household income.
5,840 people live in Locust. Numbers are typical (middle) values.