Living in Kinston, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Kinston · Census data 2020–2024
Kinston has 19,505 residents with a median age of 42.9. The median household income is $36,878 (49% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $119,300, the median rent is $867/month.
Kinston at a glance
- Population
- 19,505
- Median age
- 42.9State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $36,878State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $119,300State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $867/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 42.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16.4%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Kinston a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 59% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 49% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 16.1%; a poverty rate of 27.9%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Kinston
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Kinston the median home value is $119,300, 64% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $867 per month, which is 29.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,403 a month in housing costs.
Kinston median household income
The median household income in Kinston is $36,878 and the income per person is $29,087. 27.9% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Kinston: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 10,599
- Owner-occupied
- 42.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 57.5%
- Vacant
- 16.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1966
- Average household size
- 2.11
Kinston demographics
- Population
- 19,505
- Median age
- 42.9
- Under 18
- 21.8%
- 65 and older
- 24.5%
- Households
- 8,891
- Foreign-born
- 3.6%
- Veterans
- 9.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Kinston ›
Education in Kinston
16.4% of adults 25 and older in Kinston have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 6.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Kinston
- Unemployment rate
- 16.1%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 3.3%
- Drive alone
- 80%
- Public transit
- 0.4%
- Walk to work
- 1.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 77.8%
Kinston vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinston | 19,505 | $36,878 | $119,300 | $867 |
| Jackson Heights | 794 | $39,403 | $133,500 | $793 |
| Dover | 404 | $37,250 | $131,800 | $929 |
| Hookerton | 573 | $34,500 | $78,400 | $717 |
| Grifton | 2,515 | $36,794 | $152,700 | — |
| La Grange | 2,756 | $48,078 | $83,800 | $735 |
| Deep Run | 662 | $54,602 | $73,400 | $780 |
| Snow Hill | 2,438 | $31,629 | $135,700 | $696 |
| Walnut Creek | 1,422 | $166,250 | $468,700 | $1,788 |
More for people moving to Kinston
Kinston ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Kinston: FAQ
What is the median household income in Kinston, NC?
The median household income in Kinston is $36,878, 49% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Kinston?
The median home value in Kinston is $119,300, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Kinston?
The median gross rent in Kinston is $867 per month, about 29.3% of household income.
Is Kinston, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 59% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 49% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 16.1%; a poverty rate of 27.9%.
What is the median age in Kinston?
The median age in Kinston is 42.9 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Kinston?
The average commute to work in Kinston is 21 minutes; 3.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Kinston?
The unemployment rate in Kinston is 16.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Kinston?
16.4% of adults in Kinston have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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