North Carolina vs Virginia
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.75%
5.3%
+0.5 pp in Virginia
Income Tax (top rate)
3.99%
5.75%
+1.8 pp in Virginia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,349
$1,357
+1% in Virginia
Median Home Value
$364,650
$366,300
+0% in Virginia
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$80,431
$90,685
+13% in Virginia
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
60.3°F
59.9°F
+0.4°F in North Carolina
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/1 cities we track in North Carolina/Virginia — 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.