Cost of Living in North Carolina
Based on 2 cities we track in North Carolina.
Cost of living in North Carolina is shaped mostly by rent across the 2 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,349 a month — 13% higher than the $1,191 median across the 28 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $80,431, 12% higher than the $71,716 median across the states we track. North Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$1,349
Median Home Value
$364,650
Median Income
$80,431
Avg Temperature
60.3°F
Medians across the North Carolina cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
4.75%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 3.99%
Cities in North Carolina
Compare North Carolina with
North Carolina cost of living — FAQ
- Is North Carolina expensive to live in?
- North Carolina is on the pricier side of the 28 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,349 ranks #9 of 28 and is 13% higher than the $1,191 median.
- What is the average rent in North Carolina?
- Across the 2 cities we track in North Carolina, average rent runs a studio around $1,363, a one-bedroom around $1,349, a two-bedroom around $1,477, a three-bedroom around $1,689 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in North Carolina?
- The median home value across the cities we track in North Carolina is $364,650 — 15% higher than the $317,950 median across the states we track.
- Does North Carolina have a state income tax?
- Yes — North Carolina's top state income tax rate is 3.99% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 4.75%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in North Carolina?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,349 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $54,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in North Carolina is $80,431.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).