State guide
Cost of living in North Carolina
7 North Carolina cities in the dataset, ranked cheapest first. We model an effective 3.5% state income tax at middle incomes. Combined state + average local sales tax runs about 7.0%.
Cities covered
7
Median rent
$1,686/mo
Median est. cost
$4,096/mo
State income tax
≈3.5%
Standouts in North Carolina
Cheapest
Winston-Salem, NC
$3,715/mo
Lowest estimated monthly essentials for one person.
Best overall
Cary, NC
Fit 84
Highest default Fit Score of the cities here.
Safest
Cary, NC
Safety 97
Lowest violent and property crime per capita.
Best for jobs
Cary, NC
Jobs 90
Strongest labor market (BLS unemployment + growth).
Sunniest
Durham, NC
228 sunny days
Most sunny days per year.
Every North Carolina city, cheapest first
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