Cost of Living in North Carolina
Housing costs, rent, income, and affordability for 772 cities in NC. Updated 2026.
Understanding the cost of living in North Carolina is essential whether you're planning a move, comparing job offers, or evaluating real estate investments. This page breaks down housing costs, rent prices, and median household income for every city in North Carolina, with comparisons to national averages.
North Carolina's average home value of $213,503 is 13% below the national median of $244,900. The average median household income is $59,374, and average monthly rent is $814.
Most Affordable Cities in North Carolina
Cities with population 5,000+ ranked by lowest median home value.
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cullowhee | $0 | $836/mo | $35,076 | 7,300 |
| 2 | Spring Lake | $101,300 | $1,228/mo | $50,497 | 11,613 |
| 3 | Hamlet | $103,800 | $553/mo | $38,500 | 6,000 |
| 4 | Kinston | $108,300 | $822/mo | $35,250 | 19,576 |
| 5 | Williamston | $108,900 | $621/mo | $40,556 | 5,157 |
| 6 | Henderson | $116,800 | $835/mo | $38,780 | 14,922 |
| 7 | Laurinburg | $121,500 | $766/mo | $39,258 | 15,079 |
| 8 | Eden | $122,800 | $816/mo | $50,959 | 15,353 |
| 9 | Roanoke Rapids | $129,400 | $816/mo | $53,981 | 15,024 |
| 10 | Marion | $131,100 | $687/mo | $44,472 | 7,594 |
| 11 | Rockingham | $133,900 | $717/mo | $36,695 | 9,094 |
| 12 | Roxboro | $138,700 | $787/mo | $39,283 | 8,144 |
| 13 | Reidsville | $139,000 | $773/mo | $42,702 | 14,547 |
| 14 | Lumberton | $140,100 | $824/mo | $43,114 | 19,220 |
| 15 | Forest City | $142,100 | $815/mo | $35,897 | 7,368 |
Most Expensive Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marvin | $860,600 | $0/mo | $250,001 | 6,542 |
| 2 | Lake Norman of Iredell | $839,900 | $1,272/mo | $194,519 | 12,496 |
| 3 | Weddington | $730,200 | $2,205/mo | $196,159 | 13,468 |
| 4 | Davidson | $626,000 | $1,636/mo | $152,969 | 14,852 |
| 5 | St. James | $599,300 | $2,258/mo | $113,670 | 6,901 |
| 6 | Chapel Hill | $576,500 | $1,483/mo | $85,825 | 59,889 |
| 7 | Westport | $537,800 | $2,197/mo | $132,206 | 5,079 |
| 8 | Cary | $525,200 | $1,621/mo | $129,399 | 176,686 |
| 9 | Porters Neck | $525,100 | $1,591/mo | $115,417 | 7,102 |
| 10 | Oak Ridge | $523,500 | $0/mo | $140,583 | 7,660 |
Highest Income Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marvin | $250,001 | $860,600 | 6,542 |
| 2 | Weddington | $196,159 | $730,200 | 13,468 |
| 3 | Lake Norman of Iredell | $194,519 | $839,900 | 12,496 |
| 4 | Briar Chapel | $154,583 | $508,300 | 6,084 |
| 5 | Davidson | $152,969 | $626,000 | 14,852 |
| 6 | Summerfield | $151,131 | $490,100 | 11,031 |
| 7 | Rolesville | $148,250 | $467,400 | 10,200 |
| 8 | Harrisburg | $143,393 | $431,900 | 19,203 |
| 9 | Oak Ridge | $140,583 | $523,500 | 7,660 |
| 10 | Apex | $138,442 | $514,800 | 67,765 |
Cost of Living FAQ — North Carolina
What is the average cost of living in North Carolina?
The average median home value across North Carolina cities is $213,503, with average rent of $814/month. The average median household income is $59,374.
What are the cheapest cities in North Carolina?
The most affordable cities in North Carolina by home value include Cullowhee ($0), Spring Lake ($101,300), Hamlet ($103,800).
What is the most expensive city in North Carolina?
The most expensive city in North Carolina is Marvin with a median home value of $860,600.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average?
North Carolina's average home value of $213,503 is below the national median of $244,900. Median rent of $814/month is below the US average of $1,163.