C+

Otto, NC

Source:

Affordability Score: 63/100

Population: 2,725 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Otto, NC aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 2,725 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C+ (63/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $72,269, median home value of $287,800, median rent of per month, and 39.5% 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 $987 per month (studio $681, 1BR $830, 3BR $1,183, 4BR $1,325). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $9,261 per year, consuming 13% 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 Otto, NC include rent. Pressure points are housing. Unemployment currently reads 1.2% and poverty 10.5% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C
$72,269
Median household income
Education B-
39.5%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing F
4.0x
Home value $287,800 vs income
Commute N/A
N/A
Average commute time
Rent A
$987/mo
2BR fair market rent (16% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare C+
$9,261/yr
Center-based infant care (13% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$72,269
▲ 17% vs national
Per Capita Income
$41,471
Unemployment Rate
1.2%
Poverty Rate
10.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
$287,800
▲ 5% vs national
Median Rent
Owner Occupied
88.9%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$987/mo
▼ 18% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$681
1BR
$830
2BR
$987
3BR
$1,183
4BR
$1,325

Safety

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

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
39.5%
▲ 10 ppt vs national
High School+
54.1%
Median Age
42.8
Avg. Commute

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$9,261/yr
13% of income
Toddler (Center)
$7,077/yr
Preschool (Center)
$9,043/yr
School-Age (Center)
$3,068/yr

What This Means

Otto, NC receives an overall affordability grade of C+ (63/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 2,725. This area performs well in rent. Challenges include housing. Data was unavailable for commute, safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Otto, NC affordable?
Otto, NC receives an overall affordability grade of C+ (63/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $72,269. Median home value is $287,800.
What is the cost of living in Otto?
Key cost metrics: 2BR fair market rent $987/mo. Infant childcare $9,261/yr. Median home value $287,800.
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 →