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Cost of living in North Carolina

Rent, taxes, earnings and more across all 100 North Carolina counties.

Avg. 1-bed rent
$969/mo
Avg. household income
$61,072/yr
Avg. home value
$214,164
Avg. monthly cost
$2,923/mo
Cheapest county
Warren County
$2,504/mo for a single person
Most expensive county
Wake County
$3,827/mo for a single person

Last updated May 21, 2026

Taxes in North Carolina

State income, sales and local tax rates.

State income tax
4.50%
Flat rate

North Carolina has a flat state income tax rate of 4.5%.

State sales tax
4.75%
Combined sales tax
7.00%
incl. average local of 2.25%

Use our salary calculator to see your take-home pay in North Carolina

Tax information is for general reference. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation.

Rent in North Carolina

The average one-bedroom rent across North Carolina is $969/mo. Rent varies from $709/mo in Bladen County to $1,647/mo in Union County.

Cheapest rent

Most expensive rent

Cheapest places to live in North Carolina

Top 10 counties by estimated single-person monthly cost.

Rankings include rent, utilities, groceries, transport, healthcare and taxes. See our methodology.

Most expensive places to live in North Carolina

Top 10 counties by estimated single-person monthly cost.

Highest earning counties in North Carolina

Top 10 by average household income.

All 100 counties in North Carolina

Sorted by population. Type to filter.

Compare any two areas in North Carolina

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

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Frequently asked questions about North Carolina

Common questions about cost of living, taxes and rent.

What is the cost of living in North Carolina?

The average cost of living in North Carolina is approximately $2,923 per month for a single person. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare and taxes. Costs range from $2,504/mo in Warren County to $3,827/mo in Wake County.

What is the average rent in North Carolina?

The average one-bedroom rent in North Carolina is $969 per month, based on HUD Fair Market Rent data across all 100 counties.

What is the average salary in North Carolina?

The average household income in North Carolina is $61,072 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Does North Carolina have state income tax?

Yes, North Carolina has a flat state income tax of 4.5%.

What is the sales tax in North Carolina?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in North Carolina averages 7.00%. The state rate is 4.75% with an average local addition of 2.25%.

What are the cheapest places to live in North Carolina?

The cheapest counties to live in North Carolina based on overall monthly costs are: 1. Warren County ($2,504/mo), 2. Tyrrell County ($2,520/mo), 3. Alleghany County ($2,531/mo), 4. Hyde County ($2,542/mo), 5. Washington County ($2,551/mo).

What are the most expensive places to live in North Carolina?

The most expensive counties to live in North Carolina based on overall monthly costs are: 1. Wake County ($3,827/mo), 2. Union County ($3,799/mo), 3. Chatham County ($3,789/mo), 4. Cabarrus County ($3,779/mo), 5. Mecklenburg County ($3,767/mo).

Use this research

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About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources.

  • U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year Estimates)
  • HUD Fair Market Rents FY2025
  • Energy Information Administration (EIA)
  • Tax Foundation state and local rates
Methodology All data sources