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Asheville, NC

Cost of living in Madison County, NC

Part of the Asheville Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,333/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 21,640 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,347 40%
Healthcare $480 14%
Federal tax $471 14%
Groceries $327 10%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $187 6%
State tax $146 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Madison 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 Madison County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$58,628
per year
Individual earnings
$38,883
per year
Per capita
$33,738
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Madison County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$263,500
Annual property tax
$1,307

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Madison 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 Madison County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.7%

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 Madison 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 Madison County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
32.3 min
Drive alone
75.7%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
11.5%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Madison County

What it costs to live in Madison County each month.

Single person
$3,333
per month
  • Rent $1,347
  • Energy $187
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $327
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $471
  • State tax $146
Couple
$4,476
per month
  • Rent $1,512
  • Energy $224
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $542
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $629
  • State tax $220
Family
$7,040
per month
  • Rent $1,944
  • Energy $280
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $822
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $629
  • State tax $220

Frequently asked questions about Madison County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Madison County?

In Madison 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 Madison County?

In Madison County, NC, the average household income is $58,628 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $38,883 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Madison County?

The estimated cost of living in Madison County, NC is approximately $3,333 per month for a single person, $4,476 for a couple, $7,040 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Madison County?

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

Is Madison County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Madison County, NC would need approximately $3,333 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $58,628 per year ($4,886 per month). Madison County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Madison County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Madison County, NC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Madison County?

The average home value in Madison County, NC is $263,500, with average annual property taxes of $1,307, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Madison County compare to other areas?

You can compare Madison County, NC with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Madison 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 Madison 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