What it's like to live in Southern Pines
Southern Pines is a small city in North Carolina with county unemployment below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, a highly educated workforce, and a population that has grown fast since 2020. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Southern Pines deals with home prices well above the national average, larger class sizes than the national average, a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin, and fewer dining and entertainment options than a bigger city.
The good
- Low unemployment in the county
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
- Fast-growing population
The not so good
- High home prices
- High student-teacher ratio
- High rent burden for renters
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
How Southern Pines compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Southern Pines
Based on Southern Pines's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,708
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $54,160 a year
- 51% of Southern Pines renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$90,220
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $45,110
- Homes cost 5.1× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of livingNear US average
$1,354/mo median rent
Rent is pretty middle of the road, at $1,354 a month median. Not a bargain, not a budget-buster. About typical for a city this size. Home prices run above average, with a median around $451,100. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $451,100 · 51% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
3.4% county unemployment
Unemployment in Moore County is 3.4%, a little below the national average of 4.3%. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Moore County (county-wide)
Safety▲ 14% above US
375 violent crimes per 100k
Crime runs about typical for a city this size. Some neighborhoods are safer than others, and one overall rate doesn't tell the whole story, so a neighborhood-level look matters more than the headline stat.
Property crime 2124/100k · Southern Pines Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 12% below US
23 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 22.8 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 14% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are hot and humid, with highs regularly hitting 88°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 32°F and snow a regular occurrence. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▲ 47% above US
53% bachelor's degree or higher
This is a highly educated city, with over half the adult population holding a college degree. That tends to shape the job market and the broader culture, and it's a solid indicator of a strong professional scene.
Schools
4 public schools inside the boundary
There are 4 public schools inside the boundary and 3 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 19:1, slightly above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Guilford Courthouse National Military Park (69 miles away). There are 2 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Southern Pines's strongest points are county unemployment below the national average and commutes that run shorter than most cities; the main tradeoffs are home prices well above the national average and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin. A year of median rent ($1,354/mo) equals 18% of the median household income here, less than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit job seekers (county-wide unemployment is low) and college-educated professionals.
See all the data for Southern Pines →·All North Carolina cities →
Other places near Southern Pines
All North Carolina guides →Moving to Pinehurst →
4 mi away · pop. 18,256
Rent $1,664/mo · Income $109,802
Compare with Southern Pines →Moving to Spout Springs →
20 mi away · pop. 11,242
Rent $2,010/mo · Income $92,402
Compare with Southern Pines →Moving to Spring Lake →
23 mi away · pop. 11,573
Rent $1,351/mo · Income $51,958
Compare with Southern Pines →Moving to Sanford →
24 mi away · pop. 31,478
Rent $1,052/mo · Income $57,586
Compare with Southern Pines →Not sure Southern Pines is the one?
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