Cost of Living in North Carolina
North Carolina offers a relatively balanced cost of living that typically falls just below the U.S. national average. While housing prices in tech-heavy hubs like Raleigh and Charlotte have seen significant increases, the state remains an attractive destination due to its diverse economy and moderate tax environment.
Overview text is model-generated; see the note below.
Popular cities in North Carolina: Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham
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Monthly Cost Estimate
excluding rent
including 1-bedroom rent
Single person in North Carolina. Totals are the sum of the category ranges below (low ends added together, high ends added together), so a real budget usually falls somewhere in between.
Cost Breakdown by Category
Housing & Rent
$950 – $1,950
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment, ranging from rural areas to major hubs like Charlotte and Raleigh.
Food & Groceries
$380 – $550
Monthly grocery expenses and moderate dining at local restaurants.
Transportation
$320 – $480
Monthly costs for fuel, car insurance, and occasional public transit. North Carolina is largely car-dependent.
Utilities
$210 – $320
Basic utilities including electricity, heating, water, and high-speed internet.
Healthcare Coverge
$350 – $580
Typical monthly costs for health insurance premiums and routine out-of-pocket expenses.
Entertainment & Fitness
$150 – $300
Gym memberships, movie tickets, and recreational activities across the state.
Build your own monthly budget
Starts at the midpoint of each estimate for North Carolina. Type your own amounts to see your total and annual figure. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
Estimate: $950 – $1,950
Estimate: $380 – $550
Estimate: $320 – $480
Estimate: $210 – $320
Estimate: $350 – $580
Estimate: $150 – $300
Yearly: $3,270 × 12 = $39,240. Excludes taxes, debt payments, savings, childcare, education, car ownership and one-off costs such as deposits or moving.
New to ranges? Read how to turn these estimates into a personal budget.
Comfortable Living
Estimated monthly spending for a comfortable lifestyle in North Carolina, with regular dining out and leisure:
Including rent • Single person • Excludes income tax and savings • A separate model estimate, not derived from the category totals above
Frequently Asked Questions about North Carolina
The first answer is calculated from the figures on this page. The others are model-generated text; answers that quoted older dollar figures are hidden so they cannot contradict the totals above.