Arizona vs North Carolina
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5.6%
4.75%
+0.8 pp in Arizona
Income Tax (top rate)
2.50%
3.99%
+1.5 pp in North Carolina
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,253
$1,349
+8% in North Carolina
Median Home Value
$364,300
$364,650
+0% in North Carolina
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$77,041
$80,431
+4% in North Carolina
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
75.1°F
60.3°F
+14.8°F in Arizona
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/2 cities we track in Arizona/North Carolina — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.