Living in Sanford, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sanford · Census data 2020–2024
Sanford has 31,478 residents with a median age of 34.7. The median household income is $57,586 (20% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $245,400, the median rent is $1,052/month.
Sanford at a glance
- Population
- 31,478
- Median age
- 34.7State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $57,586State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $245,400State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,052/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 53.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.6%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Sanford a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 15% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 4.4%.
Cons: Median household income 20% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 22%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Sanford
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Sanford the median home value is $245,400, 26% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,052 per month, which is 29.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,456 a month in housing costs.
Sanford median household income
The median household income in Sanford is $57,586 and the income per person is $28,130. 22% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Sanford: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 12,531
- Owner-occupied
- 53.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 46.7%
- Vacant
- 9.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1985
- Average household size
- 2.71
Sanford demographics
- Population
- 31,478
- Median age
- 34.7
- Under 18
- 27.9%
- 65 and older
- 15.1%
- Households
- 11,359
- Foreign-born
- 15%
- Veterans
- 5.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sanford ›
Education in Sanford
21.6% of adults 25 and older in Sanford have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sanford
- Unemployment rate
- 4.4%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 8.1%
- Drive alone
- 77.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1%
- Homes with broadband
- 73.5%
Sanford vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanford | 31,478 | $57,586 | $245,400 | $1,052 |
| Broadway | 1,657 | $64,926 | $254,500 | $981 |
| Moncure | 1,039 | $54,076 | — | $544 |
| Goldston | 379 | $39,538 | $190,700 | $938 |
| Cameron | 364 | $71,875 | $184,200 | $825 |
| Barbecue | 5,910 | $79,426 | $219,800 | $1,383 |
| Mamers | 669 | $33,561 | $118,500 | $746 |
| Pittsboro | 4,752 | $81,639 | $376,300 | $1,211 |
| Spout Springs | 11,242 | $92,402 | $358,500 | $2,010 |
More for people moving to Sanford
Sanford ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sanford: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sanford, NC?
The median household income in Sanford is $57,586, 20% 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 Sanford?
The median home value in Sanford is $245,400, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Sanford?
The median gross rent in Sanford is $1,052 per month, about 29.7% of household income.
Is Sanford, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 15% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 4.4%. Minuses: median household income 20% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 22%.
What is the median age in Sanford?
The median age in Sanford is 34.7 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Sanford?
The average commute to work in Sanford is 23 minutes; 8.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sanford?
The unemployment rate in Sanford is 4.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sanford?
21.6% of adults in Sanford 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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