North Carolina vs New York
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.75%
4%
+0.8 pp in North Carolina
Income Tax (top rate)
3.99%
10.90%
+6.9 pp in New York
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,349
$1,705
+26% in New York
Median Home Value
$364,650
$751,700
+106% in New York
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$80,431
$79,713
+1% in North Carolina
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
60.3°F
55.0°F
+5.3°F in North Carolina
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/1 cities we track in North Carolina/New York — 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.