Cost of Living in Stem, NC

With a cost of living index of 80, Stem, NC is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 20% cheaper than the national average and 5% below the North Carolina state average of 84. Stem is a small community of 1,064 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Stem's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $983 (25% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $207,600 (32% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 2.4x the median household income — well within traditional affordability guidelines.

The median household income in Stem is $85,385, which is 14% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 14% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.