Home · 50 states · North Carolina

50 states · NC

North Carolina cost of living & income (2026)

Quick answer: North Carolina has a cost-of-living index of 96.6 (100 = national baseline), an illustrative estimated annual cost of living of about $48,300, median household income of $73,958, combined average sales tax about 6.98%, and regular gas about $3.564/gal in the June 2026 AAA snapshot used on the hub.

COL index96.6100 = US baseline
Est. annual COL$48,300
Median HH income$73,958
Sales tax (comb.)6.98%
Gas (87 octane)$3.564/galJune 2026 AAA
Largest cityCharlotte (911,311)

Taxes & economy

Income tax: Flat 3.99%

Sales tax: 4.75% state (combined avg. ~6.98%)

Major industries: Technology/biotech (Research Triangle), finance, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism

Climate snapshot

Summer high ~89°F (July) · Winter low ~30°F (January)

Culture (context)

Biltmore Estate / North Carolina Museum of Art

Open the interactive 50-state map & table — sort, filter, and use the dual ranker on the full explorer.

FAQ

What is North Carolina's cost of living index?

North Carolina's cost-of-living index is 96.6 (national baseline 100) in this 2026 classroom snapshot.

What is the estimated annual cost of living in North Carolina?

The explorer lists an illustrative estimated annual cost of living of about $48,300 for North Carolina.

What is median household income in North Carolina?

Median household income in North Carolina is $73,958 in this dataset.

What is the combined average sales tax rate in North Carolina?

The combined average sales tax rate shown for North Carolina is 6.98%. State and local rules vary; see the Tax Foundation citation on the hub.

Does North Carolina have a state income tax?

State income tax in North Carolina: Flat 3.99%.

What was regular gas in North Carolina in this snapshot?

87-octane gas is listed at $3.564 per gallon (AAA, June 2026) in the explorer data.

Sources on the hub: Tax Foundation (sales tax), BEA / ACS (income & COL), AAA gas (June 20, 2026). Educational snapshot — not relocation or tax advice.