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North Wilkesboro, NC

Cost of living in Wilkes County, NC

Estimated monthly cost
$2,688/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 65,983 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $807 30%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $386 14%
Groceries $327 12%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $187 7%
State tax $126 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Wilkes County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$780
per month
1 bedroom
$807
per month
2 bedroom
$930
per month
3 bedroom
$1,244
per month
4 bedroom
$1,386
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Wilkes County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$50,438
per year
Individual earnings
$33,686
per year
Per capita
$27,866
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Wilkes County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$161,400
Annual property tax
$1,003

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Wilkes 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 Wilkes County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
11.4%

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 Wilkes 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 Wilkes County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
26.8 min
Drive alone
81.1%
Public transit
0.2%
Work from home
8.1%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Wilkes County

What it costs to live in Wilkes County each month.

Single person
$2,688
per month
  • Rent $807
  • Energy $187
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $327
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $386
  • State tax $126
Couple
$3,733
per month
  • Rent $930
  • Energy $224
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $542
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $499
  • State tax $189
Family
$6,179
per month
  • Rent $1,244
  • Energy $280
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $822
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $499
  • State tax $189

Frequently asked questions about Wilkes County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Wilkes County?

In Wilkes County, NC, a one-bedroom apartment averages $807 per month, a two-bedroom averages $930 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,244 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Wilkes County?

In Wilkes County, NC, the average household income is $50,438 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $33,686 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Wilkes County?

The estimated cost of living in Wilkes County, NC is approximately $2,688 per month for a single person, $3,733 for a couple, $6,179 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Wilkes County?

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

Is Wilkes County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Wilkes County, NC would need approximately $2,688 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $50,438 per year ($4,203 per month). Wilkes County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Wilkes County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Wilkes County, NC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 11.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Wilkes County?

The average home value in Wilkes County, NC is $161,400, with average annual property taxes of $1,003, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Wilkes County compare to other areas?

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