Caldwell County's composite score of 76.7 significantly surpasses the national median of 50.0, making it one of the strongest performers nationally. This score places Caldwell firmly in the top quartile of U.S. counties for overall livability.
2 / 5
Among North Carolina's best
At 76.7, Caldwell County ranks above North Carolina's state average of 72.7, placing it in the upper tier of state counties. The county represents one of the state's premier choices for quality of life.
3 / 5
Supreme affordability with low taxes
Caldwell County excels with a cost score of 85.2 paired with a tax score of 84.3, delivering median home values of $174,000 and monthly rent of $735. The effective tax rate of 0.639% further enhances affordability for residents across income levels.
4 / 5
Modest income potential nearby
The county's income score of 19.6 reflects a median household income of $55,401, indicating limited high-earning opportunities within the county itself. Comprehensive data on schools, safety, and health outcomes remains limited at this stage.
5 / 5
Best overall value in the region
Caldwell County stands as the clear winner for families and retirees seeking maximum affordability without sacrificing livability quality. This county delivers exceptional bang for your buck, making it ideal for those prioritizing financial security and low cost of living.
Caldwell County's composite score of 76.7 significantly surpasses the national median of 50.0, making it one of the strongest performers nationally. This score places Caldwell firmly in the top quartile of U.S. counties for overall livability.
Among North Carolina's best
At 76.7, Caldwell County ranks above North Carolina's state average of 72.7, placing it in the upper tier of state counties. The county represents one of the state's premier choices for quality of life.
Supreme affordability with low taxes
Caldwell County excels with a cost score of 85.2 paired with a tax score of 84.3, delivering median home values of $174,000 and monthly rent of $735. The effective tax rate of 0.639% further enhances affordability for residents across income levels.
Modest income potential nearby
The county's income score of 19.6 reflects a median household income of $55,401, indicating limited high-earning opportunities within the county itself. Comprehensive data on schools, safety, and health outcomes remains limited at this stage.
Best overall value in the region
Caldwell County stands as the clear winner for families and retirees seeking maximum affordability without sacrificing livability quality. This county delivers exceptional bang for your buck, making it ideal for those prioritizing financial security and low cost of living.
Score breakdown
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🏛84.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Caldwell County's effective tax rate of 0.639% is comfortably below the national median of 1.09%, ranking it in the lower-tax tier of U.S. counties. The modest median property tax of $1,112 makes Caldwell an affordable option for property owners.
Below average for North Carolina
At 0.639%, Caldwell's rate is about 9% lower than North Carolina's 0.701% state average, giving residents a tax advantage over most of the state. Caldwell ranks in the lower-tax half of all North Carolina counties.
Lower than nearby mountain counties
Caldwell's 0.639% rate is notably lower than Burke County (0.699%) to the south and Buncombe County (0.601%) to the southwest. The county offers one of the more affordable tax environments in the western foothills region.
Low taxes on modest home values
With a median home value of $174,000 and a rate of 0.639%, Caldwell homeowners typically pay around $1,112 in annual property tax. For those with mortgages, escrow payments generally total roughly $1,268 per year.
Even low assessments may benefit from appeals
Though Caldwell has lower property values overall, individual assessments can still be inaccurate and worth challenging. Homeowners who believe their assessed value exceeds what similar homes recently sold for should consider filing an appeal.
Caldwell County renters spend just 15.9% of their income on rent—among the lowest ratios nationally and well below the U.S. average. With median rent of $735 and median household income of $55,401, Caldwell delivers genuine affordability without sacrificing housing quality.
North Carolina's affordability champion
Caldwell's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the best in North Carolina, beating the state average of 18.6% by nearly 3 percentage points. The median rent of $735 is the lowest in this sample, paired with favorable income-to-cost ratios.
Unmatched affordability among peers
Caldwell's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio surpasses all seven comparison counties, including nearby Burke County (17.4%) and Buncombe County (21.8%). The $735 median rent is the county's competitive edge, attracting cost-conscious households across the region.
Lowest-cost housing of all counties
Caldwell renters pay just $735 monthly while homeowners spend $661, with a median home value of $174,000—the second-lowest in this group. Housing costs consume under 16% of the $55,401 median income, among the healthiest ratios available.
Caldwell: unbeatable mountain affordability
Relocate to Caldwell for some of North Carolina's lowest absolute housing costs: $735 rent, $174,000 median home values, and a 15.9% rent-to-income ratio. The trade-off is lower median incomes, but for retirees, remote workers, and budget-first families, Caldwell is hard to beat.
Caldwell County's median household income of $55,401 falls $19,354 below the national median of $74,755. The 26% shortfall reflects the county's rural, manufacturing-dependent economy and limited high-wage employment.
Lower-middle income for North Carolina
At $55,401, Caldwell County ranks below the state average of $61,072 by $5,671—a 9% deficit. The county's reliance on traditional industries and aging workforce contribute to below-average statewide earnings.
Similar to Burke, far behind leaders
Caldwell County ($55,401) earns nearly equally with Burke ($55,684) but trails Cabarrus ($86,084) by $30,683—a 56% gap. Its foothills location and industrial challenges parallel Burke's economic constraints.
Best affordability ratio in region
Caldwell County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio among these eight counties at 15.9%, and a median home value of just $174,000. Housing is highly affordable, enabling households to save and invest despite moderate incomes.
Use low costs to build savings
Caldwell County's exceptional housing affordability—the county's strongest financial advantage—creates space to accumulate emergency savings and retirement funds. Prioritize skill development and education to increase earning potential while leveraging low living costs.
Caldwell County residents live to 72.4 years—six-and-a-half years shorter than the U.S. life expectancy of 78.9 years. The 18.9% poor/fair health rate nearly matches the highest in this group, signaling serious population health challenges.
Among North Carolina's lowest performers
At 72.4 years, Caldwell's life expectancy falls 2.0 years below the state average of 74.4 years, ranking it near the bottom tier of NC counties. The 18.9% poor/fair health rate compounds these concerns.
Struggling against regional peers
Caldwell's 72.4-year life expectancy trails all comparison counties except Bladen (70.3 years), underperforming neighboring Buncombe (77.4 years) by five years. With only 50 primary care providers per 100,000, Caldwell also lags peer counties in physician access.
Uninsured and underserved
Caldwell's 13.1% uninsured rate meets North Carolina's state average, yet the county offers only 111 mental health providers per 100,000—among the lowest in this group. The combination of uninsured residents and limited behavioral health capacity strains the county's health system.
Start your coverage journey today
Caldwell residents without insurance should act now to explore marketplace options and state programs that could secure coverage. Taking this step reduces financial risk and connects you to preventive care that improves health outcomes.
Caldwell County scores 67.43 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively low category near the national average. This makes Caldwell one of North Carolina's safer regions, though residents should not overlook flood and tornado exposure.
Below-average risk among state counties
Caldwell ranks in the lower-risk tier of North Carolina counties with a composite score of 67.43, barely above the state average of 66.72. The county's inland mountain position shields residents from coastal hazards while exposing them to localized flooding.
Safest risk profile in western region
Caldwell (67.43) and Burke (70.17) form the lower-risk pair in western North Carolina, substantially safer than Buncombe (89.34) to their east. Both counties benefit from inland elevation despite sharing moderate flood and tornado risks.
Floods and earthquakes top hazard list
Caldwell's primary risks are flood (79.01) and earthquake (77.64), reflecting mountain terrain and Appalachian seismic activity, while tornado risk (62.09) remains moderate. Wildfire exposure (51.97) is notably low compared to other county risks.
Standard insurance handles most scenarios
Caldwell residents should maintain homeowners' insurance with wind coverage for tornadoes and flood insurance near waterways or in designated flood zones. An emergency kit with water, first aid, and medications provides low-cost protection for most natural disasters.