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Forest City, NC

Cost of living in Rutherford County, NC

Estimated monthly cost
$2,670/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 64,850 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $807 30%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $371 14%
Groceries $327 12%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $187 7%
State tax $123 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Rutherford County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$803
per month
1 bedroom
$807
per month
2 bedroom
$930
per month
3 bedroom
$1,255
per month
4 bedroom
$1,442
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Rutherford County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$49,771
per year
Individual earnings
$32,744
per year
Per capita
$29,217
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Rutherford County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$180,800
Annual property tax
$1,053

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Rutherford 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 Rutherford County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
11.8%

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 Rutherford 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 Rutherford County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
26.3 min
Drive alone
81.2%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
6.7%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Rutherford County

What it costs to live in Rutherford County each month.

Single person
$2,670
per month
  • Rent $807
  • Energy $187
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $327
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $371
  • State tax $123
Couple
$3,721
per month
  • Rent $930
  • Energy $224
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $542
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $489
  • State tax $187
Family
$6,178
per month
  • Rent $1,255
  • Energy $280
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $822
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $489
  • State tax $187

Frequently asked questions about Rutherford County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Rutherford County?

In Rutherford County, NC, a one-bedroom apartment averages $807 per month, a two-bedroom averages $930 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,255 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Rutherford County?

In Rutherford County, NC, the average household income is $49,771 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $32,744 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Rutherford County?

The estimated cost of living in Rutherford County, NC is approximately $2,670 per month for a single person, $3,721 for a couple, $6,178 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Rutherford County?

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

Is Rutherford County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Rutherford County, NC would need approximately $2,670 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $49,771 per year ($4,148 per month). Rutherford County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Rutherford County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Rutherford County, NC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 11.8% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Rutherford County?

The average home value in Rutherford County, NC is $180,800, with average annual property taxes of $1,053, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Rutherford County compare to other areas?

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