Rent, home prices, and cost of living in North Carolina
Across the 165 North Carolina cities with committed home, rent, and income data, the population-weighted cost index is 108, 8% above the U.S. baseline of 100. In that sample, the median city home value is $320,502, the median city monthly rent is $1,590, and the median city household income is $71,918.
Cross-city statistics over the 165 North Carolina cities with committed home, rent, and income data; not a statewide household median. Home value and rent: Zillow ZHVI/ZORI Aug 2026 where matched, HUD FY2027 2-bedroom FMR where no ZORI match, otherwise Census ACS 2024 place estimates. Household income: Census ACS 2024 place estimates. Cost index: population-weighted across the sample from those housing inputs plus BEA 2024 regional price parities.
Major cities in North Carolina
Tax context: top income-tax rate 3.99%, estimated combined sales tax 7.1%, property-tax proxy 0.66%. Use the dedicated tax tool for an income scenario.
All 166 North Carolina cities
Every committed place in North Carolina, grouped by population. Each entry links straight to its cost-of-living page, and the list is rendered on the server so it is visible without JavaScript.
Cities of 100,000 or more 10 cities
Cities of 25,000 to 99,999 33 cities
- Asheville, NC
- Greenville, NC
- Gastonia, NC
- Jacksonville, NC
- Apex, NC
- Huntersville, NC
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Burlington, NC
- Kannapolis, NC
- Rocky Mount, NC
- Wake Forest, NC
- Mooresville, NC
- Wilson, NC
- Holly Springs, NC
- Hickory, NC
- Indian Trail, NC
- Fuquay-Varina, NC
- Monroe, NC
- Salisbury, NC
- Garner, NC
- Goldsboro, NC
- Cornelius, NC
- New Bern, NC
- Sanford, NC
- Morrisville, NC
- Matthews, NC
- Statesville, NC
- Leland, NC
- Clayton, NC
- Kernersville, NC
- Asheboro, NC
- Mint Hill, NC
- Thomasville, NC
Cities of 10,000 to 24,999 53 cities
- Waxhaw, NC
- Shelby, NC
- Clemmons, NC
- Carrboro, NC
- Knightdale, NC
- Boone, NC
- Lexington, NC
- Harrisburg, NC
- Mebane, NC
- Kinston, NC
- Elizabeth City, NC
- Lumberton, NC
- Lenoir, NC
- Pinehurst, NC
- Mount Holly, NC
- Graham, NC
- Hope Mills, NC
- Havelock, NC
- Morganton, NC
- Stallings, NC
- Albemarle, NC
- Southern Pines, NC
- Murraysville, NC
- Davidson, NC
- Belmont, NC
- Hendersonville, NC
- Eden, NC
- Laurinburg, NC
- Henderson, NC
- Roanoke Rapids, NC
- Reidsville, NC
- Piney Green, NC
- Anderson Creek, NC
- Lewisville, NC
- Weddington, NC
- Newton, NC
- Wendell, NC
- Myrtle Grove, NC
- Lake Norman of Iredell, NC
- Smithfield, NC
- Archdale, NC
- Kings Mountain, NC
- Lincolnton, NC
- Spring Lake, NC
- Spout Springs, NC
- Summerfield, NC
- Pineville, NC
- Elon, NC
- Tarboro, NC
- Rolesville, NC
- Winterville, NC
- Mount Airy, NC
- Waynesville, NC
Places under 10,000 70 cities
- Lake Norman of Catawba, NC
- Morehead City, NC
- Washington, NC
- Hillsborough, NC
- Gibsonville, NC
- St. Stephens, NC
- Hampstead, NC
- Aberdeen, NC
- Wesley Chapel, NC
- Oak Island, NC
- Kings Grant, NC
- Rockingham, NC
- Oxford, NC
- Zebulon, NC
- Conover, NC
- Dunn, NC
- Black Mountain, NC
- Clinton, NC
- Ogden, NC
- Roxboro, NC
- Fletcher, NC
- Butner, NC
- Woodfin, NC
- Siler City, NC
- Cullowhee, NC
- Etowah, NC
- Brevard, NC
- Kill Devil Hills, NC
- Oak Ridge, NC
- Porters Neck, NC
- Marion, NC
- King, NC
- Half Moon, NC
- Forest City, NC
- Mills River, NC
- Trinity, NC
- St. James, NC
- Unionville, NC
- Swannanoa, NC
- Selma, NC
- Carolina Beach, NC
- Marvin, NC
- Silver Lake, NC
- Boiling Spring Lakes, NC
- East Flat Rock, NC
- Wrightsboro, NC
- Angier, NC
- Cherryville, NC
- Dallas, NC
- Mocksville, NC
- Briar Chapel, NC
- Stokesdale, NC
- Hamlet, NC
- Westport, NC
- Barbecue, NC
- Northchase, NC
- Walkertown, NC
- Locust, NC
- Nashville, NC
- Moyock, NC
- Bessemer City, NC
- Cramerton, NC
- Whispering Pines, NC
- Archer Lodge, NC
- Ayden, NC
- Williamston, NC
- Pleasant Garden, NC
- Sawmills, NC
- Carolina Shores, NC
- Long View, NC
Data boundary: city housing and income use committed Zillow, HUD FMR, and Census inputs; non-housing costs use BEA regional proxies; mortgage estimates use the committed FRED benchmark. HUD FMRs are 2-bedroom 40th-percentile gross-rent program benchmarks, not market medians. Tax values are state context, not an individual filing or parcel bill. The state-level effective owner-occupied property-tax proxy is from the Tax Foundation 2026 edition, based on 2024 ACS.
Frequently asked questions about North Carolina
North Carolina housing questions
What is the most affordable city to live in North Carolina?+
Among the cities we track, Roanoke Rapids stands out as the most affordable option in North Carolina. The median home value there is $132,688, and monthly rent typically runs around $1,012. The local median household income is $53,690, which tends to go further here than in much of the state.
What is the most expensive city in North Carolina?+
Weddington is currently the priciest market in NC. Homes there are valued at a median of $1,050,246, and renters can expect to pay around $1,785/month. Incomes are higher too — the median household earns $190,766 — but whether that fully offsets the cost premium depends on your lifestyle.
How are taxes in North Carolina?+
North Carolina uses a flat model; 3.99% is top marginal-rate context. The state-level effective owner-occupied property-tax proxy is 0.66% and is not an individual bill. State plus average local sales-tax context is 7.1%.
How much does housing vary across North Carolina?+
There's a huge range. In Roanoke Rapids, the median home costs around $132,688. In Weddington, that number jumps to $1,050,246 — roughly 7x more. Rents follow a similar pattern: approximately $1,012/month vs. $1,785/month. Where you choose to settle within NC can make a dramatic difference in your monthly budget.
Is North Carolina a good state to move to?+
It depends on your priorities and budget. North Carolina has a wide range of living costs depending on the city. Typical home values range from around $132,688 in lower-cost tracked places to $1,050,246 in higher-cost tracked places. Use the city comparison tool to compare housing, rent, state-level tax proxies, and everyday cost pressure across locations in NC.