California vs North Carolina
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
7.25%
4.75%
+2.5 pp in California
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
3.99%
+9.3 pp in California
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,688
$1,349
+20% in California
Median Home Value
$771,700
$364,650
+53% in California
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$83,969
$80,431
+4% in California
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
64.4°F
60.3°F
+4.2°F in California
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 9/2 cities we track in California/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.