C+

Mebane, NC

Source:

Affordability Score: 61/100

Population: 26,412 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Mebane, NC aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 26,412 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C+ (61/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $79,819, median home value of $312,400, median rent of $1,199 per month, and 35.0% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $1,348 per month (studio $992, 1BR $1,230, 3BR $1,670, 4BR $1,972). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $7,550 per year, consuming 9% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Mebane, NC include rent, childcare. Unemployment currently reads 3.8% and poverty 7.5% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income B-
$79,819
Median household income
Education C+
35.0%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing F
3.9x
Home value $312,400 vs income
Commute F
29 min
Average commute time
Rent B+
$1,348/mo
2BR fair market rent (20% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare B+
$7,550/yr
Center-based infant care (9% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$79,819
▲ 29% vs national
Per Capita Income
$40,527
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Poverty Rate
7.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
$312,400
▲ 14% vs national
Median Rent
$1,199/mo
Owner Occupied
69.4%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,348/mo
▲ 12% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$992
1BR
$1,230
2BR
$1,348
3BR
$1,670
4BR
$1,972

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
35.0%
▲ 5 ppt vs national
High School+
60.4%
Median Age
41.0
Avg. Commute
29 min
▲ 3 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$7,550/yr
9% of income
Toddler (Center)
$7,448/yr
Preschool (Center)
$5,859/yr
School-Age (Center)
$3,410/yr

What This Means

Mebane, NC receives an overall affordability grade of C+ (61/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 26,412. This area performs well in rent and childcare. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Mebane ZIP Codes
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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Mebane, NC affordable?
Mebane, NC receives an overall affordability grade of C+ (61/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $79,819. Median home value is $312,400.
What is the cost of living in Mebane?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $1,199/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,348/mo. Infant childcare $7,550/yr. Median home value $312,400.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →