Living in Sylva, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sylva · Census data 2020–2024
Sylva has 2,646 residents with a median age of 31.4. The median household income is $44,086 (39% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $201,200, the median rent is $797/month.
Sylva at a glance
- Population
- 2,646
- Median age
- 31.4State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $44,086State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $201,200State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $797/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 45.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30.7%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Sylva a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 30% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 39% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 7.3%; a poverty rate of 19.4%.
The weather is best in May and August to October.
Cost of living in Sylva
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Sylva the median home value is $201,200, 40% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $797 per month, which is 25.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,149 a month in housing costs.
Sylva median household income
The median household income in Sylva is $44,086 and the income per person is $21,330. 19.4% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Sylva: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,206
- Owner-occupied
- 45.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 54.7%
- Vacant
- 14.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1979
- Average household size
- 2.46
Sylva demographics
- Population
- 2,646
- Median age
- 31.4
- Under 18
- 28.4%
- 65 and older
- 14.6%
- Households
- 1,028
- Foreign-born
- 9.4%
- Veterans
- 4.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sylva ›
Education in Sylva
30.7% of adults 25 and older in Sylva have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 13.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sylva
- Unemployment rate
- 7.3%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 2.9%
- Drive alone
- 72.5%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 82.4%
Sylva vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sylva | 2,646 | $44,086 | $201,200 | $797 |
| Webster | 470 | $61,528 | $375,000 | $733 |
| Dillsboro | 195 | $58,516 | $270,300 | $1,026 |
| Cullowhee | 7,973 | $35,929 | $382,300 | $869 |
| Forest Hills | 329 | $90,313 | — | $1,208 |
| Cherokee | 2,059 | $55,972 | $189,900 | $1,075 |
| Bryson City | 1,902 | $44,167 | $243,400 | $783 |
| Maggie Valley | 2,112 | $68,125 | $320,500 | $1,067 |
| Waynesville | 10,502 | $54,923 | $281,700 | $1,070 |
More for people moving to Sylva
Sylva ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sylva: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sylva, NC?
The median household income in Sylva is $44,086, 39% 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 Sylva?
The median home value in Sylva is $201,200, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Sylva?
The median gross rent in Sylva is $797 per month, about 25.4% of household income.
Is Sylva, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 30% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes. Minuses: median household income 39% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 7.3%; a poverty rate of 19.4%.
What is the median age in Sylva?
The median age in Sylva is 31.4 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Sylva?
The average commute to work in Sylva is 24 minutes; 2.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sylva?
The unemployment rate in Sylva is 7.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sylva?
30.7% of adults in Sylva 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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