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Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Cost of living in Rowan County, NC

Part of the Charlotte Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,048/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 148,487 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,050 34%
Federal tax $481 16%
Healthcare $480 16%
Groceries $327 11%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $187 6%
State tax $148 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Rowan County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,044
per month
1 bedroom
$1,050
per month
2 bedroom
$1,285
per month
3 bedroom
$1,691
per month
4 bedroom
$2,158
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Rowan County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$63,196
per year
Individual earnings
$39,452
per year
Per capita
$32,675
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Rowan County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$216,100
Annual property tax
$1,411

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Rowan 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 Rowan County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
10.2%

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 Rowan 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 Rowan County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
26.2 min
Drive alone
79.5%
Public transit
0.3%
Work from home
7.8%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Rowan County

What it costs to live in Rowan County each month.

Single person
$3,048
per month
  • Rent $1,050
  • Energy $187
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $327
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $481
  • State tax $148
Couple
$4,341
per month
  • Rent $1,285
  • Energy $224
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $542
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $704
  • State tax $237
Family
$6,879
per month
  • Rent $1,691
  • Energy $280
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $822
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $704
  • State tax $237

Frequently asked questions about Rowan County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Rowan County?

In Rowan County, NC, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,050 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,285 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,691 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Rowan County?

In Rowan County, NC, the average household income is $63,196 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $39,452 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Rowan County?

The estimated cost of living in Rowan County, NC is approximately $3,048 per month for a single person, $4,341 for a couple, $6,879 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Rowan County?

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

Is Rowan County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Rowan County, NC would need approximately $3,048 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $63,196 per year ($5,266 per month). Rowan County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Rowan County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Rowan County, NC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 10.2% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Rowan County?

The average home value in Rowan County, NC is $216,100, with average annual property taxes of $1,411, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Rowan County compare to other areas?

You can compare Rowan County, NC with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Rowan County is in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC 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 Rowan 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