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Asheville, NC

Cost of living in Henderson County, NC

Part of the Asheville Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,280/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 117,387 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,347 41%
Healthcare $480 15%
Federal tax $428 13%
Groceries $327 10%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $187 6%
State tax $136 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Henderson County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,286
per month
1 bedroom
$1,347
per month
2 bedroom
$1,512
per month
3 bedroom
$1,944
per month
4 bedroom
$2,566
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Henderson County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$67,623
per year
Individual earnings
$36,252
per year
Per capita
$38,976
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Henderson County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$317,800
Annual property tax
$1,667

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Henderson 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 Henderson County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
12.2%

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 Henderson 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 Henderson County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.3 min
Drive alone
78.8%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
9.2%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Henderson County

What it costs to live in Henderson County each month.

Single person
$3,280
per month
  • Rent $1,347
  • Energy $187
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $327
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $428
  • State tax $136
Couple
$4,658
per month
  • Rent $1,512
  • Energy $224
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $542
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $777
  • State tax $254
Family
$7,222
per month
  • Rent $1,944
  • Energy $280
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $822
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $777
  • State tax $254

Frequently asked questions about Henderson County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Henderson County?

In Henderson County, NC, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,347 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,512 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,944 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Henderson County?

In Henderson County, NC, the average household income is $67,623 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $36,252 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Henderson County?

The estimated cost of living in Henderson County, NC is approximately $3,280 per month for a single person, $4,658 for a couple, $7,222 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Henderson County?

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

Is Henderson County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Henderson County, NC would need approximately $3,280 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $67,623 per year ($5,635 per month). Henderson County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Henderson County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Henderson County, NC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 12.2% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Henderson County?

The average home value in Henderson County, NC is $317,800, with average annual property taxes of $1,667, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Henderson County compare to other areas?

You can compare Henderson County, NC with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Henderson County is in the Asheville, 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 Henderson 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