What is the cost of living in North Carolina?

North Carolina has an average cost of living index of 101, which is 10% below the national average of 112. Average monthly rent across tracked cities is $1,552, and average median household income is $74,175.

What is the cheapest city in North Carolina?

Fayetteville is the most affordable city tracked in North Carolina, with a cost index of 93 and median rent of $1,426/month.

What is the most expensive city in North Carolina?

Cary is the most expensive city tracked in North Carolina, with a cost index of 115 and median rent of $1,649/month.

What is the average rent in North Carolina?

The average monthly rent across 9 tracked cities in North Carolina is $1,552. The cheapest rent is in Greensboro at $1,382/month.

What is the average household income in North Carolina?

The average median household income across tracked cities in North Carolina is $74,175. The highest-earning city is Cary at $129,399.

Is North Carolina affordable to live in?

North Carolina's average rent-to-income ratio is 26.4%. Financial advisors recommend keeping rent below 30% of gross income. North Carolina is generally considered affordable, with rent taking less than 30% of typical incomes.

Home/North Carolina

9 cities tracked

North Carolina

Compare affordability, taxes, rent pressure, and earnings across North Carolina’s tracked cities with a single state-level intelligence view.

All Rankings

Most affordable: Fayetteville

Highest income: Cary

Avg rent: $1,552

Avg Cost Index

0/ 100

State Population

Avg Income

Avg Rent

$0/mo

Avg Home Price

Tracked City Pop

State Intelligence Overview

Core metrics, city comparisons, and tax signals

Most Affordable

Fayetteville

Index: 93Rent: $1,426

Most Expensive

Cary

Index: 115Rent: $1,649

Highest Income

Cary

$129,399Rent: $1,649

North Carolina vs National Average

Cost Index

101

-9.8% vs avg

Avg Rent

$1,552

-18.1% vs avg

Avg Income

$74,175

-7.7% vs avg

Cities in North Carolina

City	Cost	Rent	Income	Home Price	Pop	Rent/Inc
Charlotte	105	$1,705	$78,438	$393,846	911,311	26.1%
Raleigh	105	$1,567	$82,424	$428,831	482,295	22.8%
Greensboro	94	$1,382	$58,884	$261,036	302,296	28.2%
Durham	104	$1,651	$79,234	$393,151	296,186	25.0%
Winston-Salem	95	$1,445	$57,673	$260,277	252,975	30.1%
Fayetteville	93	$1,426	$56,395	$222,766	209,749	30.3%
Cary	115	$1,649	$129,399	$620,401	180,010	15.3%
Wilmington	105	$1,670	$63,900	$408,845	122,698	31.4%
High Point	95	$1,469	$61,228	$246,725	116,926	28.8%