salaryRent is lower than in 58% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.8 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 31.8 minutes each way. Most households rent (57%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $59,960 a year. That is $29 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 84 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Selma?
Share of households by yearly income. 5.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Selma
| Size | Selma | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $398 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $848 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,365 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,527 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Selma 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 Selma, so the North Carolina figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Selma
Life in Selma
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Selma?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $308 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $171,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $17,160 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Selma, NC?
Renting in Selma costs a median of about $1,499 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Selma?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $59,960 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Selma cheap or expensive?
Selma is rated Expensive: rent takes 40.3% of the typical household income of $44,615. It ranks 84th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Selma?
The median homeowner in Selma pays $1,356 a year in property taxes, about 0.79% of the median home value.
Is Selma 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 Selma?
The median home value in Selma is $171,600, about 3.8 times the typical yearly household income.
6,817 people live in Selma. Numbers are typical (middle) values.