Rows tagged local are specific to Lake Wylie (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Charlotte, NC. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 7/10 (district York 02 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
97.3
metro-area
#116 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
96.7
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.54
metro-area
#115 of 200 metros
Median household income
$111,424
local
#791 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$51,123
local
#1113 of 3,220 cities
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.49%
local
#2010 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+18.2%
local
#320 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$425,000
local
#2100 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.8×
local
#1547 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
-0.4%
metro-area
#142 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$213
local
#1910 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,431
local
#1553 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
13,321
Median days on market
20
metro-area
#114 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
8.9%
state
#88 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
7.44%
state
#55 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
6.20%
Capital gains tax
6.40%
state
#78 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
0.42%
local
#87 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,771
local
#500 of 3,220 cities
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,500
state
#65 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$8,500
state
#58 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$40
state
#107 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
2.33% of value (~$652/yr)
state
#146 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
12
Avg commute to work
31 min
local
#2341 of 3,220 cities
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
17.1¢/kWh
state
#72 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$154
state
#72 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.05/gal
state
#63 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$56
state
#69 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$97
state
#36 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#106 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,000
state
#110 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#18 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$900
state
#120 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$350
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
53
metro-area
#157 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,600
metro-area
#119 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
3,400
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Avg summer high
89°F
metro-area
#113 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
30°F
metro-area
#89 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
43.6"
metro-area
#101 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
3.5"
metro-area
#80 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
62%
metro-area
#64 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
7b
Frost window
04-01 → 11-10
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
530
state
#100 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,900
state
#98 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
64
metro-area
#100 of 200 metros
Parks
65
Hiking areas
44
Golf courses
34
Shooting ranges
13
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#87 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.