Cost of Living in North Carolina
North Carolina has 43 cities with cost-of-living data on CompareLiving, drawn from US Census, BEA, HUD, and EPA sources. Prices range from Salisbury (cost index 87.1) to Wilmington (100.7), with a statewide average around 96.2 versus the US baseline of 100. Median rent is lowest in Thomasville at $853/mo and highest in Indian Trail at $1,916/mo.
North Carolina at a Glance
Cities Tracked
43
with census data
Avg Cost Index
96.2
US avg = 100
Avg Median Rent
$1,308
per month
Avg Household Income
$78,225
annual median
Most & Least Affordable Cities
Most Affordable
| City | Cost Index | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Salisbury | 87.1 | $1,030 |
| Greensboro | 93.8 | $1,114 |
| High Point | 93.8 | $1,062 |
| Greenville | 94.9 | $983 |
| Durham | 95.1 | $1,412 |
Most Expensive
| City | Cost Index | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | 100.7 | $1,311 |
| Sanford | 100.5 | $965 |
| Jacksonville | 98.5 | $1,268 |
| Raleigh | 98.3 | $1,468 |
| Cary | 98.3 | $1,621 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100)
Taxes in North Carolina
State Income Tax
4.50%
Top marginal rate · Tax Foundation 2024
State Sales Tax
4.75%
Statewide base rate · local add-ons may apply
Popular Cities in North Carolina
North Carolina Cities — Full Table
Click columns to sort
| Charlotte | 886,283 | 96.8 | $1,504 | $351,500 | $78,438 |
| Raleigh | 470,763 | 98.3 | $1,468 | $377,800 | $82,424 |
| Greensboro | 298,564 | 93.8 | $1,114 | $221,300 | $58,884 |
| Durham | 288,465 | 95.1 | $1,412 | $355,300 | $79,234 |
| Winston-Salem | 250,887 | — | $1,033 | $208,200 | $57,673 |
| Fayetteville | 209,692 | — | $1,179 | $171,900 | $56,395 |
| Cary | 176,686 | 98.3 | $1,621 | $525,200 | $129,399 |
| Wilmington | 118,578 | 100.7 | $1,311 | $350,300 | $63,900 |
| High Point | 115,263 | 93.8 | $1,062 | $212,400 | $61,228 |
| Concord | 106,518 | 96.8 | $1,365 | $327,600 | $84,752 |
| Asheville | 94,369 | — | $1,303 | $411,000 | $67,221 |
| Greenville | 88,540 | 94.9 | $983 | $213,100 | $50,564 |
| Gastonia | 81,632 | 96.8 | $1,145 | $250,000 | $60,554 |
| Jacksonville | 73,507 | 98.5 | $1,268 | $191,700 | $54,069 |
| Apex | 67,765 | — | $1,784 | $514,800 | $138,442 |
| Huntersville | 62,458 | — | $1,742 | $439,300 | $119,951 |
| Chapel Hill | 59,889 | 95.1 | $1,483 | $576,500 | $85,825 |
| Burlington | 58,599 | — | $1,030 | $188,700 | $54,941 |
| Kannapolis | 56,470 | — | $1,168 | $245,500 | $70,691 |
| Rocky Mount | 54,175 | — | $919 | $148,300 | $52,927 |
| Mooresville | 51,447 | — | $1,505 | $348,500 | $88,592 |
| Wake Forest | 51,199 | — | $1,458 | $435,000 | $120,777 |
| Wilson | 47,740 | — | $925 | $192,000 | $47,294 |
| Hickory | 43,747 | — | $975 | $248,300 | $63,361 |
| Holly Springs | 43,429 | — | $1,858 | $485,500 | $132,435 |
| Indian Trail | 41,146 | — | $1,916 | $343,500 | $99,073 |
| Fuquay-Varina | 37,749 | — | $1,646 | $410,600 | $111,447 |
| Salisbury | 35,730 | 87.1 | $1,030 | $215,200 | $51,058 |
| Monroe | 35,596 | — | $1,216 | $270,600 | $67,265 |
| Goldsboro | 33,448 | — | $956 | $173,700 | $47,005 |
| Garner | 32,543 | — | $1,452 | $320,300 | $77,496 |
| Cornelius | 32,009 | — | $1,571 | $512,400 | $114,688 |
| New Bern | 31,563 | — | $1,068 | $211,500 | $56,893 |
| Sanford | 30,833 | 100.5 | $965 | $222,000 | $54,294 |
| Morrisville | 30,471 | — | $1,785 | $481,800 | $125,404 |
| Matthews | 29,959 | — | $1,670 | $406,800 | $105,579 |
| Statesville | 29,161 | — | $935 | $226,100 | $55,492 |
| Clayton | 28,043 | — | $1,542 | $292,400 | $73,348 |
| Kernersville | 27,439 | — | $1,052 | $264,000 | $69,923 |
| Asheboro | 27,353 | — | $855 | $162,800 | $48,628 |
| Thomasville | 27,261 | — | $853 | $163,200 | $58,246 |
| Mint Hill | 26,954 | — | $1,498 | $386,900 | $99,272 |
| Leland | 26,307 | — | $1,603 | $358,800 | $88,576 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100) · Income & Rent = US Census ACS
Moving Guides Involving North Carolina
Compare North Carolina cities head-to-head
Use our comparison tool to put any two cities side by side. Or explore national rankings to see how North Carolina cities stack up across the US. For example, Charlotte vs Raleigh.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cost of Living in North Carolina
What is the cost of living in North Carolina?
The average cost of living index across cities in North Carolina is approximately 96.2 (US average = 100), which is slightly below the US average. Median gross rent averages around $1,308/month and median household income averages around $78,225/year.
What are the cheapest cities to live in North Carolina?
The most affordable cities in North Carolina by cost of living index are: 1. Salisbury (index 87.1), 2. Greensboro (index 93.8), 3. High Point (index 93.8).
What is the median rent in North Carolina?
The average median gross rent across cities in North Carolina is approximately $1,308/month. Rent varies significantly by city and neighborhood — use the city profiles below for specific figures.
What are the income tax rates in North Carolina?
North Carolina's top marginal state income tax rate is 4.50%. This is the highest bracket rate; lower-income earners pay less. Source: Tax Foundation (2024).
What is the sales tax in North Carolina?
North Carolina's statewide sales tax rate is 4.75%. Local city and county rates may add to this. Source: Tax Foundation (2024).
Is it expensive to move to North Carolina?
North Carolina has a cost of living index of approximately 96.2 and average median rent around $1,308/month. It is generally more affordable than the US average, which can offset moving costs over time. Use our moving guides for salary equivalence calculations.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, Tax Foundation · Methodology