Saluda, NC

Full City Profile · North Carolina · Henderson County County

3.6 /5.0

B+ Good

676 Population 433/sq mi density

$52,946 Median Income $31,723 per capita

$321,000 Home Value $358,929 Zillow

$1,339 Median Rent 49.4% income on rent

60°F Avg Temperature 302 sunny days/yr

B+

Overall

3.6 / 5.0

Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

B+

Economy

3.6 / 5.0

$52,946 median income, 3.4% unemployment

Affordability

3.2 / 5.0

$321,000 home value, $1,339/mo rent

C+

Safety

2.5 / 5.0

0 violent crimes/100K

A+

Education

5.0 / 5.0

50.8% bachelor's degree or higher

Cost Overview

Cost of Living Index

94.3

Below national average

100 = US average

Median Monthly Rent

$1,339

15% above US avg

Avg Annual Property Tax

$3,686

5% above US avg ($3,500)

Fair Market Rents (HUD FY2026)

Studio

$932

per month

1 Bedroom

$981

per month

2 Bedroom

$1,161

per month

3 Bedroom

$1,499

per month

4 Bedroom

$1,780

per month

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center) $842/mo

$10,104/year

Toddler (Center) $644/mo

$7,728/year

Preschool (Center) $558/mo

$6,696/year

Infant (Family) $771/mo

$9,252/year

Toddler (Family) $679/mo

$8,148/year

Preschool (Family) $611/mo

$7,332/year

Healthcare 40 services

Doctor Visit (Primary Care)	$235.75
Specialist Visit	$330.05
Urgent Care Visit	$188.60
Emergency Room Visit	$2,074.60
Dental Cleaning	$122.59
Dental Filling	$235.75
Root Canal	$943.00
Dental Crown	$1,131.60
Tooth Extraction	$235.75
Wisdom Teeth Removal	$1,414.50
Teeth Whitening	$471.50
Dental Implant	$3,772.00
Eye Exam	$188.60
Glasses (Prescription)	$330.05
Contact Lenses (Annual)	$235.75 annual
LASIK (Per Eye)	$2,357.50 per eye
X-Ray	$235.75
MRI	$1,414.50
CT Scan	$1,131.60
Ultrasound	$377.20

Blood Test (Basic Panel)	$141.45
Physical Therapy (Session)	$141.45 per session
Chiropractor Visit	$70.73
Dermatologist Visit	$235.75
Mental Health Therapy	$165.03 per session
Psychiatrist Visit	$282.90
Colonoscopy	$2,357.50
Mammogram	$282.90
Knee Replacement	$33,005.00
Hip Replacement	$30,176.00
Cataract Surgery (Per Eye)	$3,300.50 per eye
ACL Surgery	$23,575.00
Appendectomy	$14,145.00
C-Section Delivery	$20,746.00
Normal Childbirth	$12,259.00
Flu Shot	$37.72
COVID Test	$94.30
Prescription (Generic, 30-day)	$14.15 per month
Prescription (Brand, 30-day)	$235.75 per month
Ambulance Ride	$1,131.60

Auto Repair 18 services

Oil Change (Conventional)	$42.44
Oil Change (Synthetic)	$70.73
Brake Pad Replacement	$282.90
Tire Rotation	$37.72
New Tires (Set of 4)	$565.80 set of 4
Battery Replacement	$188.60
Transmission Repair	$2,829.00
AC Repair	$471.50
Windshield Replacement	$330.05

Wheel Alignment	$94.30
Spark Plug Replacement	$188.60
Alternator Replacement	$471.50
Timing Belt Replacement	$660.10
Car Detailing (Full)	$188.60
Towing (Per Mile)	$4.72 per mile
State Inspection	$28.29
Emissions Test	$47.15
Check Engine Diagnostic	$94.30

Home Services 25 services

Plumber (Per Hour)	$94.30 per hour
Electrician (Per Hour)	$84.87 per hour
HVAC Repair	$377.20
HVAC System Install	$6,601.00
Roof Repair	$943.00
Roof Replacement	$8,487.00
Interior Painting (Avg Home)	$2,357.50
Exterior Painting (Avg Home)	$3,300.50
Pest Control (One-Time)	$188.60
Pest Control (Annual Plan)	$471.50 annual
Carpet Cleaning (3 Rooms)	$165.03
Lawn Mowing (Per Visit)	$47.15 per visit
Lawn Care (Monthly)	$141.45 monthly

Tree Removal	$754.40
Gutter Cleaning	$188.60
Pressure Washing (House)	$282.90
Foundation Repair	$4,715.00
Kitchen Remodel (Mid-Range)	$28,290.00
Bathroom Remodel (Mid-Range)	$11,316.00
Flooring Install	$7.54 per sq ft
Window Replacement	$612.95 per window
Fence Install (Wood)	$28.29 per ft
Garage Door Replacement	$1,131.60
Water Heater Replacement	$1,414.50
Septic Tank Pumping	$377.20

Legal 12 services

Divorce (Uncontested)	$1,414.50
Divorce (Contested)	$14,145.00
DUI Defense	$4,715.00
Bankruptcy (Chapter 7)	$1,414.50
Will Preparation	$471.50
Trust Preparation	$2,357.50

Real Estate Closing	$1,886.00
Traffic Ticket Defense	$282.90
LLC Formation	$471.50
Immigration Consultation	$282.90
Criminal Defense (Misdemeanor)	$2,829.00
Personal Injury (Contingency)	$31.12 % of settlement

Personal Care 12 services

Men's Haircut	$23.58
Women's Haircut	$51.87
Hair Coloring (Full)	$141.45
Manicure	$23.58
Pedicure	$37.72
Massage (1 Hour)	$75.44 per session

Facial Treatment	$94.30
Gym Membership	$47.15 monthly
Personal Trainer (Session)	$66.01 per session
Dry Cleaning (Suit)	$14.15
Laundromat (Per Load)	$3.77 per load
Spa Day Package	$235.75

Food & Grocery 20 services

Gallon of Milk	$3.87 per gallon
Dozen Eggs	$3.30 per dozen
Loaf of Bread	$3.58
Chicken Breast	$4.24 per lb
Ground Beef	$5.19 per lb
Rice	$0.94 per lb
Bananas	$0.61 per lb
Apples	$1.70 per lb
Coffee	$7.07 per lb
Gasoline	$3.30 per gallon

Fast Food Meal	$9.43
Restaurant Meal (Casual)	$16.97
Restaurant Meal (Fine Dining)	$56.58
Pizza Delivery (Large)	$16.97
Coffee (Cafe Latte)	$5.19
Beer (6-Pack Domestic)	$9.43
Wine (750ml, Mid-Range)	$14.15
Cigarettes (Pack)	$8.02 per pack
Baby Formula (Can)	$23.58
Dog Food (Monthly)	$47.15 monthly

Utilities 8 services

Electricity (Monthly)	$132.02 monthly
Natural Gas (Monthly)	$66.01 monthly
Water/Sewer (Monthly)	$66.01 monthly
Internet (Monthly)	$66.01 monthly

Cell Phone Plan (Monthly)	$61.30 monthly
Cable TV (Monthly)	$80.16 monthly
Trash Collection (Monthly)	$33.01 monthly
Home Insurance (Annual)	$1,886.00 annual

Transportation 8 services

Monthly Parking (Downtown)	$188.60 monthly
Car Insurance (Annual)	$1,886.00 annual
Bus Pass (Monthly)	$66.01 monthly
Taxi/Uber (5-Mile Ride)	$14.15

Car Registration (Annual)	$94.30 annual
Driver's License Renewal	$28.29
Tolls (Monthly Commuter)	$47.15 monthly
Vehicle Property Tax (Annual)	$377.20 annual

Education & Childcare 8 services

Daycare (Infant, Monthly)	$1,131.60 monthly
Daycare (Toddler, Monthly)	$943.00 monthly
After-School Care (Monthly)	$377.20 monthly
Tutoring (Per Hour)	$47.15 per hour

SAT/ACT Prep Course	$943.00
Private School (K-12, Annual)	$11,787.50 annual
Community College (Annual)	$3,772.00 annual
State University (Annual)	$9,430.00 annual

Pets 9 services

Vet Visit (Routine Checkup)	$56.58
Dog Vaccination (Annual)	$94.30 annual
Dog Grooming	$56.58
Pet Boarding (Per Night)	$37.72 per night
Dog Spay/Neuter	$282.90

Cat Spay/Neuter	$188.60
Pet Emergency Visit	$754.40
Dental Cleaning (Dog)	$377.20
Microchipping	$47.15

Complete Cost Data

Housing Costs

Cost of Living Index	94.3
Median Rent	$1,339
Rent Burden	49.4%
Property Tax (IRS)	$3,686
FMR Studio	$932
FMR 1-Bedroom	$981
FMR 2-Bedroom	$1,161
FMR 3-Bedroom	$1,499
FMR 4-Bedroom	$1,780

Childcare (Monthly)

Infant (Center)	$842
Toddler (Center)	$644
Preschool (Center)	$558
Infant (Family)	$771
Toddler (Family)	$679
Preschool (Family)	$611

Income Context

Median Income	$52,946
Per Capita Income	$31,723
IRS Avg AGI	$74,950