salaryRent is lower than in 51% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.8 years of household income. Most homes (85.6%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $65,280 a year. That is $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of North Carolina. It is number 98 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Mills River?
Share of households by yearly income. 45.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Mills River
| Size | Mills River | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $1,076 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,857 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,771 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Mills River 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 Mills River, so the North Carolina figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Mills River
Life in Mills River
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Mills River?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,394 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $436,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $43,610 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Mills River, NC?
Renting in Mills River costs a median of about $1,632 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Mills River?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $65,280 a year, or $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Mills River cheap or expensive?
Mills River is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.2% of the typical household income of $113,672. It ranks 98th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Mills River?
The median homeowner in Mills River pays $2,199 a year in property taxes, about 0.50% of the median home value.
Is Mills River 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 Mills River?
The median home value in Mills River is $436,100, about 3.8 times the typical yearly household income.
7,281 people live in Mills River. Numbers are typical (middle) values.