Cost of Living in Pinehurst, NC

Pinehurst, North Carolina, is one of the most charming and intimate cities in the state. With a population of under 20 000, picturesque surroundings, and so much to experience, you can understand why so many people live and vacation here. Pinehurst, NC is truly a small town gem that must be experienced.

Our Pinehurst NC cost of living (complete guide) will give you the low-down of what to expect if you’re thinking of moving to this quaint area.

OVERVIEW OF THE COST OF LIVING IN PINEHURST, NC

Pinehurst NC is a mixed bag when it comes to the cost of living. Overall, it is slightly above the national average, coming in at 103.1 points on the cost-of-living index. This ranking is driven up by the cost of housing, and healthcare costs, which are 24.5% and 14.6% higher than the national average respectively.

On the bright side, groceries are pretty much on par with the national average. And utilities and transportation are 2.8% and 30.9% below the national average respectively.

Let’s dive into these in a bit more detail.

Pinehurst NC Cost Of Living: Housing

Area prices saw a slight increase of 1.5% in 2021. This may be due to the increasing popularity of the “village” (as it is affectionately known because of its small population and intimate vibe).

Buying a house

For the average single-family home, you’ll be paying around $516,202, which is higher than the national average of $376,286. It’s actually a good time to buy property in Pinehurst, as home appreciation increased around 16.2% over the last 12 months.

Buying an apartment

If you’re looking at purchasing an apartment, you’ll be paying around $3,390.63 per square meter, for a place within the city. Outside of the city, purchasing an apartment will cost you around $3,211.23 per square meter.

Renting

In the rental market, you’ll look at paying around $1,083 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, and $816.67 outside of the city center.

A three-bedroom apartment inside the city will cost you $1,666.67 per month, with the same outside of the city costing you around $1,433.33 per month.

The most desired areas to live in, in Pinehurst NC, are found in the eastern parts of the city. This is due to a good mix of location, liveability, and affordability.

On the plus side, Pinehurst has relatively low tax rates on both personal property and real estate, coming in at $0.30 per $100 valuation.

Health and Childcare

Healthcare is the second major driver of Pinehurst’s cost of living index ranking. With that said, Pinehurst’s quality of healthcare is incredibly high, so you’ll be getting some of the best medical services in the country!

An individual adult will look at paying around $6,551 per year, compared to $4,266 per year nationally. A family of three will look at paying about $16,336.42 per year, and a family of four, $19,570.21 per year.

Healthcare is also the largest industry sector in the area, with some of the region’s top healthcare providers living in Pinehurst.

FirstHealth Of The Carolina’s is the most comprehensive healthcare network in the region. It operates Moore Regional Hospital – named one of the top 100 hospitals across the nation.

Childcare

The average annual cost for childcare in Pinehurst NC is around $6,643.36 for one child. This is actually lower than both the state and national averages, which are $8,105.33 and $8,903.38 respectively.

EDUCATION

Pinehurst residents have access to one of the top-performing public school systems in North Carolina. Children are assigned to schools based on where they live.

Here are some great options in and around the village:

• Pinehurst Elementary – situated in the village

• West Pine Elementary – a few minutes outside of the village

• West Pine Middle School – next door to West Pine Elementary

• Pinecrest High School – a few minutes outside of Pinehurst

Residents can also choose from a number of private schools, including Calvary Christian School, Episcopal Day School, The O’Neal School, Sandhills Classical Christian School, Longleaf Academy, and Pope John Paul II Catholic School.

FOOD AND DINING

Groceries are on par with the national cost of living index, coming in at 100.9 points on the index as compared to the national 100 points.

Eating Out

If you enjoy a meal out at an inexpensive restaurant, you’ll look at paying around $21 for an individual. For two people to have a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant, you’re in for about $50.

For a regular cappuccino, you’ll spend around $4.50. And for a 330ml Coke or Pepsi, you’ll pay about $2.30. A 500ml domestic beer will cost you around $4.

Eating In

Most of your daily items come in below the national average cost.

Milk, for example, will cost you $0.80 per liter in Pinehurst, and $0.93 nationally. A loaf of fresh white bread will cost you $3.14 locally, as opposed to nationally. You’ll be spending $3.85 on a 1kg bag of apples in Pinehurst – the national cost is $5.49 for a bag.

TRANSPORTATION

The majority of residents use their own vehicles to get to and from work and around town. The average commute in Pinehurst is about 21.7 minutes long, compared to the 26.6-minute average commute time nationwide.

Taking into account the price of fuel, car maintenance, and public transit, you’ll likely be spending around $10,905 per year on transportation.

If public transport is more suited to your lifestyle, then there are plenty of taxis available to get you from A to B. There are also shuttles available that can transport you to and from the airport, from $125 from a service such as RDU Airport Shuttle.

Uber and Lyft are always around should you prefer them over a traditional taxi. Uber starts at a base fare of $1 with a $2.75 booking fee. The cost per minute is $0.14 and $0.76 per mile. A minimum charge of $6.75 applies.

If you’re riding with Lyft, your initial fee is $4.50. The cost per minute thereafter is $0.20 per minute and $0.70 per mile.

UTILITIES

You’ll also be saving on utilities in Pinehurst, compared to if you were living in another city.

For your basics (water and electricity, garbage, heating, and cooling), you’ll be looking at spending around $127.27 per month on an 85-square-meter apartment. And to stay connected, your WiFi costs will be about $72.67 per month.

GOLFER’S PARADISE

If you’ve had that niggling feeling that the name “Pinehurst” rings a bell, but you can’t quite put your finger on it – the answer is golf.

Pinehurst North Carolina is best known for its golfing heritage. Pinehurst is the home of the historic Pinehurst Resort, and its globally renowned No. 2 golf course (one of nine courses in the resort). The course hosted the 2014 US Open and US Women’s Open Championships and is ranked the number one golf course in North Carolina.

Pinehurst Resort has also hosted one PGA Championship, three US Amateur Championships, and the Ryder Cup Golf Competition. No. 2 golf course is set to continue hosting the US Open in the upcoming years of 2024, 2029, 2035, 2041, and 2047.

With its fame, comes the price tag. Pinehurst is one of the most expensive places in America to play golf. In peak season, you’ll be spending around $450 per round of golf. And if you want to be a full member, expect to pay up to $45,000 for your membership.

If you’re a golfer’s partner who isn’t as wild about golf as your other half, the resort also offers a world-class spa, extraordinary dining experiences, and luxury amenities.

WHAT ELSE DOES PINEHURST OFFER?

Stepping away from the golfing scene, this gorgeous village is very centrally located. A two-hour drive from the beach and a three-hour drive from the Blue Ridge Mountains makes it perfectly located for a weekend getaway.

While you’re out of the small city, you can enjoy some beautiful walks and hikes in the picturesque surroundings. Or, soak up some history by visiting the Battleship of North Carolina or the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

If you are military-minded, Fort Bragg, home of the 82nd Airborne Division, the US Army Special Operations Command, and the US Army Parachute Team, is only a 45-minute drive away.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is only an hour or so drive away, so friends and family can easily fly in and catch a taxi or shuttle to come and watch some of Pinehurst’s great sporting events or cultural festivals.

Art and Culture

Did you know that Pinehurst NC is a National Historic Landmark District itself? This means that there is no shortage of museums and art galleries for you to wander through.

For music lovers, the Carolina Philharmonic lives in Pinehurst and is one of the most popular orchestras in NC. Other highly popular music centers include the North Carolina Symphony, The Sunrise Theater, and the Judson Theater Company.

Pinehurst hosts a number of exciting events throughout the year. These include the local Oktoberfest, the annual Christmas tree lighting, the Live After Five Pinehurst Concert Series, and various parades.

Sports and Activities

Aside from the exciting golf scene, Pinehurst NC is also known for its equestrian community. It has played host to the Stoneybrook Steeplechase and also currently maintains the upkeep of the Pinehurst Harness Track.

The Pinehurst Parks & Recreation Department also offers a variety of action-orientated activities for both adults and children. From organized athletic leagues to fitness classes, special events, and arts and crafts classes – there’s something for everyone in Pinehurst.

The department is responsible for maintaining the Camelot Playground and Cannon Park, as well as West Pinehurst Community Park, James W. Tufts Memorial Park. It also maintains Rassie Wicker Park, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan implementation, Splash Pad, and Arboretum.

Pinehurst has a great activity guide which you can find here.

HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED TO MAKE TO LIVE IN PINEHURST, NC?

So what bacon do you need to bring home to cover the Pinehurst cost of living? Your household will need to earn around $90,456 per year to live relatively comfortably in the village.

Because the healthcare sector is the highest contributor to the Pinehurst economy, there are many jobs available in this field. Other top employment sectors in Pinehurst NC include accounting, marketing, sales, and teaching.

THE SAFEST CITY IN NORTH CAROLINA

Safety is always a consideration when thinking about moving cities. In 2014 and 2017, Pinehurst was named the #1 Safest City In North Carolina, while in 2015 it was named the #2 Safest City In North Carolina by SafeWise.

A census that was conducted a few years ago revealed that 99% of Pinehurst residents rated their feeling of safety as “excellent”.

PINEHURST NC COST OF LIVING: KEY TAKEAWAYS

For families looking for a more intimate community lifestyle, or even retirees looking to settle down somewhere quiet and peaceful, Pinehurst NC is an incredible destination to choose.

It is safe and has a variety of activities to keep an active young family busy or provide relaxing activities for seniors to enjoy.

In 2020, Pinehurst celebrated its 125th anniversary – 125 years after its founder, James Walker Tufts, purchased 5,800 acres of land at $1.25 per acre to start building a health resort. From there, the plan expanded, and the plan for the Village of Pinehurst was put into place.

The Pinehurst community website has created a beautiful chapter-by-chapter story of its history, inspired by its anniversary. You can read more about it here.

All in all, Pinehurst is a charming place to live that offers plenty to do and see. If you’re planning on moving, don’t hesitate to contact Miracle Movers of Sandhills. We’re here to make your move as seamless and stress-free as possible! As the top moving company in Pinehurst, we vow to eliminate all of the stress from moving days. Give us a call today to request a free quote for your upcoming move.