North Carolina

North Carolina is about 5% cheaper than the national average. Across the 22 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 95, where 100 is the US average.

Typical rent in North Carolina averages $1,524 a month across the 22 cities we track as of September 2026, 21% below the national typical rent of $1,932. That ranks near the middle of 51 states. The figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index for all home types.

Of the 22 cities we track in North Carolina, Fayetteville has the lowest cost of living index at 86. The lowest typical rent is in Lumberton, at $1,149 a month.

Raleigh has the highest cost of living index of the cities we track in North Carolina, at 102. The highest typical rent is in Pinehurst, at $1,861 a month.

Regular unleaded averages $3.23 a gallon in North Carolina as of November 11, 2026 (AAA state average), 19% below the national average of $3.98. That is the cheapest of 51 states.

Rent in North Carolina rose an average of 2.6% over the past year across the 22 cities we track, compared with a 2.7% change nationally.

Residential electricity in North Carolina averages 14.9 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill is about $135.

Full coverage car insurance in North Carolina averages $1,680 a year, or about $140 a month (Bankrate and NAIC), compared with $2,150 a year nationally. That is the 12th lowest of 51 states.