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North Carolina

Cost of living in Ashe County, NC

Estimated monthly cost
$2,595/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 26,831 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $717 28%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $383 15%
Groceries $327 13%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $187 7%
State tax $126 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Ashe County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$713
per month
1 bedroom
$717
per month
2 bedroom
$930
per month
3 bedroom
$1,228
per month
4 bedroom
$1,233
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Ashe County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$50,827
per year
Individual earnings
$33,516
per year
Per capita
$31,486
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Ashe County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$221,900
Annual property tax
$1,136

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Ashe County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$147
per month · 14¢/kWh
Natural gas
$40
per month
Annual total
$2,244
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Ashe County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
12.1%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Ashe County

State and local tax rates for North Carolina.

State income tax
4.5%
Flat rate
State sales tax
4.8%
Combined sales tax
7.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Ashe County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
24.5 min
Drive alone
79.5%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
9.4%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Ashe County

What it costs to live in Ashe County each month.

Single person
$2,595
per month
  • Rent $717
  • Energy $187
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $327
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $383
  • State tax $126
Couple
$3,740
per month
  • Rent $930
  • Energy $224
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $542
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $504
  • State tax $191
Family
$6,170
per month
  • Rent $1,228
  • Energy $280
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $822
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $504
  • State tax $191

Frequently asked questions about Ashe County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Ashe County?

In Ashe County, NC, a one-bedroom apartment averages $717 per month, a two-bedroom averages $930 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,228 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Ashe County?

In Ashe County, NC, the average household income is $50,827 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $33,516 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Ashe County?

The estimated cost of living in Ashe County, NC is approximately $2,595 per month for a single person, $3,740 for a couple, $6,170 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Ashe County?

The combined sales tax rate in Ashe County, NC is 7.00%, which includes the North Carolina state rate of 4.75% plus an average local rate of 2.25%.

Is Ashe County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Ashe County, NC would need approximately $2,595 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $50,827 per year ($4,236 per month). Ashe County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Ashe County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Ashe County, NC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 12.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Ashe County?

The average home value in Ashe County, NC is $221,900, with average annual property taxes of $1,136, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Ashe County compare to other areas?

You can compare Ashe County, NC with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Ashe County is in North Carolina.

Other counties in North Carolina

Browse the full list of counties in North Carolina, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in North Carolina

Compare Ashe County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources