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Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Cost of living in Caldwell County, NC

Part of the Hickory Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,801/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 80,618 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $851 30%
Healthcare $480 17%
Federal tax $442 16%
Groceries $327 12%
Transport $320 11%
Energy $187 7%
State tax $139 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Caldwell County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$818
per month
1 bedroom
$851
per month
2 bedroom
$1,046
per month
3 bedroom
$1,334
per month
4 bedroom
$1,567
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Caldwell County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$55,401
per year
Individual earnings
$37,108
per year
Per capita
$30,811
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Caldwell County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$174,000
Annual property tax
$1,112

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Caldwell 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 Caldwell County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
11.3%

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 Caldwell 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 Caldwell County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
26.8 min
Drive alone
81.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Work from home
6.3%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Caldwell County

What it costs to live in Caldwell County each month.

Single person
$2,801
per month
  • Rent $851
  • Energy $187
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $327
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $442
  • State tax $139
Couple
$3,946
per month
  • Rent $1,046
  • Energy $224
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $542
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $577
  • State tax $208
Family
$6,366
per month
  • Rent $1,334
  • Energy $280
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $822
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $577
  • State tax $208

Frequently asked questions about Caldwell County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Caldwell County?

In Caldwell County, NC, a one-bedroom apartment averages $851 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,046 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,334 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Caldwell County?

In Caldwell County, NC, the average household income is $55,401 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $37,108 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Caldwell County?

The estimated cost of living in Caldwell County, NC is approximately $2,801 per month for a single person, $3,946 for a couple, $6,366 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Caldwell County?

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

Is Caldwell County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Caldwell County, NC would need approximately $2,801 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $55,401 per year ($4,617 per month). Caldwell County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Caldwell County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Caldwell County, NC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 11.3% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Caldwell County?

The average home value in Caldwell County, NC is $174,000, with average annual property taxes of $1,112, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Caldwell County compare to other areas?

You can compare Caldwell County, NC with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Caldwell County is in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area.

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 Caldwell 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