Emerald Isle 63 Average
Emerald Isle Livability #401 ranked city in North Carolina#15,298 ranked city in the USARanks better than 47% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Emerald Isle

PROS
  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

What's it like Living in Emerald Isle?

Located in the state of North Carolina, Emerald Isle is a small city with a population of 3,797 people. According to the most recent Census, 92% of Emerald Isle residents are White, 1% American Indian and Alaskan and 1% Native Hawaiian. With an average age of 57 years, Emerald Isle residents appear to be older compared to the national average. For seniors and retirees, this city presents itself as a compelling choice. Emerald Isle is known to be family friendly as more than 74% of the population has already tied the knot. It might also be worth noting that 22% of residents also have children under the age of 18. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Emerald Isle offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 30 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Emerald Isle could be a positive experience compared to other cities in North Carolina if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Emerald Isle, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, cost of living, commute, employment and more.

Using data and statistics Emerald Isle has received a livability score of 61 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 43rd percentile when compared to all other cities. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Emerald Isle has higher than average rankings for the following: employment (A+) and housing (A). On a more negative note, Emerald Isle does not have favorable grades for the following: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 150 crimes per 100,000 residents, Emerald Isle has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Emerald Isle has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Emerald Isle is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Emerald Isle come in at $691,208, which is 138.8% higher than the North Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Emerald Isle, the home price to income ratio is 5.6, which is 36.6% higher than the North Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Emerald Isle

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Compare Emerald Isle, NC Livability

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      Emerald Isle transportation information

      Statistic Emerald Isle North Carolina National
      Average one way commute30min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.1%81.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool1.9%9.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.8%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home17.3%4.8%4.6%
      Source: The Emerald Isle, NC data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.