salaryRent is higher than in 75% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.7 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $85,680 a year. That is $41 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 146 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Southern Pines?
Share of households by yearly income. 33.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Southern Pines
| Size | Southern Pines | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,124 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,228 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,341 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,682 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Southern Pines overall?
Everyday prices in the Pinehurst-Southern Pines metro area are 12% below the U.S. average (index 88.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Southern Pines
Life in Southern Pines
What jobs pay in Southern Pines
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $132,170 | 19.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $131,770 | 19.5% |
| Software Developer | $130,240 | 19.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,520 | 20.6% |
| Lawyer | $105,510 | 24.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,900 | 26.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $95,800 | 26.8% |
| Operations Manager | $94,400 | 27.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $92,370 | 27.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,520 | 31.5% |
| Accountant | $75,750 | 33.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $64,080 | 40.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,730 | 41.6% |
| Police Officer | $58,560 | 43.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $52,580 | 48.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $50,540 | 50.9% |
| Truck Driver | $48,860 | 52.6% |
| Plumber | $48,440 | 53.1% |
| Carpenter | $47,840 | 53.7% |
| Electrician | $45,650 | 56.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,530 | 59.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,930 | 69.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,690 | 72.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $34,590 | 74.3% |
| Firefighter | $34,200 | 75.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,080 | 75.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $31,210 | 82.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,020 | 85.6% |
| Cashier | $27,710 | 92.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Southern Pines?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $988 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $451,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $45,110 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Southern Pines, NC?
Renting in Southern Pines costs a median of about $2,142 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Southern Pines?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $85,680 a year, or $41 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Southern Pines cheap or expensive?
Southern Pines is rated OK: rent takes 26.9% of the typical household income of $95,485. It ranks 146th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Southern Pines?
The median homeowner in Southern Pines pays $2,799 a year in property taxes, about 0.62% of the median home value.
Is Southern Pines more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Southern Pines?
The median home value in Southern Pines is $451,100, about 4.7 times the typical yearly household income.
16,420 people live in Southern Pines. Numbers are typical (middle) values.