North Carolina vs Washington
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.75%
6.5%
+1.8 pp in Washington
Income Tax (top rate)
3.99%
None
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,349
$1,858
+38% in Washington
Median Home Value
$364,650
$912,100
+150% in Washington
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$80,431
$121,984
+52% in Washington
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
60.3°F
53.5°F
+6.8°F in North Carolina
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/1 cities we track in North Carolina/Washington — 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.