Living in Sunset Beach, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sunset Beach · Census data 2020–2024
Sunset Beach has 4,351 residents with a median age of 69.1. The median household income is $81,976 (13% higher than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $410,900, the median rent is $537/month.
Sunset Beach at a glance
- Population
- 4,351
- Median age
- 69.1State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $81,976State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $410,900State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $537/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 86.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 40%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Sunset Beach a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 13% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 0.7%; a poverty rate of 5.7%.
Cons: Home values 42% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Sunset Beach
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Sunset Beach the median home value is $410,900, 24% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $537 per month, which is 18.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,474 a month in housing costs.
Sunset Beach median household income
The median household income in Sunset Beach is $81,976 and the income per person is $57,169. 5.7% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Sunset Beach: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 5,238
- Owner-occupied
- 86.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 13.6%
- Vacant
- 54.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 2000
- Average household size
- 1.83
54.5% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Sunset Beach has many vacation and second homes.
Sunset Beach demographics
- Population
- 4,351
- Median age
- 69.1
- Under 18
- 3.6%
- 65 and older
- 59.7%
- Households
- 2,381
- Foreign-born
- 2.9%
- Veterans
- 8.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sunset Beach ›
Education in Sunset Beach
40% of adults 25 and older in Sunset Beach have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 14.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sunset Beach
- Unemployment rate
- 0.7%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 22.2%
- Drive alone
- 73.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.6%
Sunset Beach vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Beach | 4,351 | $81,976 | $410,900 | $537 |
| Calabash | 2,377 | $65,310 | $253,200 | $1,360 |
| Carolina Shores | 5,017 | $76,087 | $288,600 | $1,973 |
| Ocean Isle Beach | 903 | $96,786 | $835,500 | — |
| Little River | 11,771 | $65,786 | $305,800 | $1,528 |
| Shallotte | 4,639 | $88,367 | $349,500 | $1,256 |
| Holden Beach | 962 | $116,250 | $658,900 | $1,475 |
| North Myrtle Beach | 19,855 | $72,722 | $416,900 | $1,263 |
| Atlantic Beach | 237 | $33,500 | $385,000 | $1,083 |
More for people moving to Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sunset Beach: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sunset Beach, NC?
The median household income in Sunset Beach is $81,976, 13% higher 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 Sunset Beach?
The median home value in Sunset Beach is $410,900, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Sunset Beach?
The median gross rent in Sunset Beach is $537 per month, about 18.4% of household income.
Is Sunset Beach, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 13% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 0.7%; a poverty rate of 5.7%. Minuses: home values 42% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Sunset Beach?
The median age in Sunset Beach is 69.1 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Sunset Beach?
The average commute to work in Sunset Beach is 20 minutes; 22.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sunset Beach?
The unemployment rate in Sunset Beach is 0.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sunset Beach?
40% of adults in Sunset Beach 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.
Last updated: