North Carolinaflat 4.5% income tax, 18th lowest property tax, median home $335K
R+3 · Moderate tax burden · COL index 94
4.5%
Income Tax
398
Violent Crime / 100K
75.7
Life Expectancy
$335K
Median Home
$1,050
Childcare / Mo
North Carolina in plain English
Worth knowing before you move to North Carolina
North Carolina has a flat income tax that is being cut each year, from 4.5% in 2025 toward 3.99%, and it does not tax Social Security. Property taxes are moderate and reassessments happen every four to eight years by county. The Research Triangle and Charlotte have driven a decade of in-migration; the mountains and the Outer Banks are second-home markets with hurricane and flood exposure on the coast.
What North Carolina taxes, and what it doesn't
North Carolina levies a flat 4.5% income tax. A household earning $75,000 pays an effective 4.5%, about $3,375 a year; at $150,000 the effective rate is 4.5%. Among the 41 states that tax income, North Carolina has the 15th lowest effective rate at $100,000 of income.
Property tax runs 0.70% of home value a year, roughly $2,345 on the state's median home of $335K. The national effective rate is about 1.10%, and North Carolina has the 18th lowest rate of the 50 states.
Combined state and local sales tax averages 7.00%, the 25th lowest in the country (the state portion is 4.75%).
For retirees: Social Security benefits are not taxed, pension income is partly exempt, and there is no estate or inheritance tax.
Capital gains are taxed as ordinary income.
Housing and the cost of living in North Carolina
North Carolina's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average; that is the 21st cheapest of the 50 states.
The median home costs $335K, 10% above the national figure and the 22nd lowest among the states. A two-bedroom rents for about $1,450 a month.
Carrying costs matter as much as the price: home insurance averages $1,900 a year, flood coverage adds about $1,000 where it is needed, car insurance runs $1,390.
Budget $135 a month for electricity and gas, $460 a month in groceries for two, $1,050 a month for full-time infant care.
Safety, health and schools
Violent crime is 398 incidents per 100,000 residents in the FBI's 2023 Crime Data Explorer figures, above the median state (387); North Carolina is the 22nd most violent of the 50 by that measure. Property crime is 2,226 per 100,000.
Life expectancy is 75.7 years (County Health Rankings 2024). 11.8% of residents have no health insurance, and the state has expanded Medicaid. The Commonwealth Fund's 2023 scorecard ranks North Carolina's health system 23rd of 50.
Education Week's 2023 Quality Counts report ranks K-12 schools 29th in the country, and the state runs a school-choice voucher program.
Politics, guns and social policy
Politically, North Carolina is a competitive state that went to Trump by 3 points in 2024.
On guns, concealed-carry permits are shall-issue, and Giffords grades the state's gun laws C+.
Abortion is legal with limits. Marijuana is illegal. North Carolina is a right-to-work state, and the minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Climate, risk and getting around
Natural disaster risk is high. The main hazards are hurricane, tornado, flood. Annual average air quality index is 36 (under 50 is good).
North Carolina has a major hub airport, with about 175 nonstop destinations from its busiest airport.
Written from the figures on this page. Rankings compare the 50 states. Sources and years are listed with each figure below.
Largest counties in North Carolina
State Profile
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Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
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Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
Income Tax
Flat rate, reducing toward 3.99% by 2026
Property Tax
~$2,345/yr on median home
Sales Tax
Social Security
Pension / IRA
Estate Tax
Inheritance Tax
Capital Gains
Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
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Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
Price Level vs US (BEA)
Below US average (100)
Mortgages 90+ Days Late
FHFA, latest quarter
Cost of Living Index
National avg = 100
Median Home Price
Median Rent (2BR)
Home Insurance
Near national avg (~$1,900/yr)
Flood Insurance
Homestead Exemption
Home equity protected from creditors
Asset Protection
Homes in HOAs
HOAs are common (Census ACS 2024)
Zoning Restrictiveness
Middle of the pack (Wharton WRLURI 2018)
Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb)
Vacation Rental Act governs contracts; zoning/licensing local.
Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
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Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
Violent Crime Rate
Near national avg
Property Crime Rate
Near national avg
Traffic Fatality Rate
Registered Sex Offenders
Above the state median (SafeHome 2025)
Homeless Population
Moderate homelessness rate — 39% unsheltered (HUD 2024 PIT)
Healthcare
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
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Healthcare
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
State Healthcare Rank
Life Expectancy
Medicaid Expansion
Uninsured Rate
Education
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
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Education
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
College Completion Rate
College Scorecard, in-state institutions (mean)
Avg College Cost of Attendance
College Scorecard 2024
K-12 Quality Rank
School Choice / Vouchers
HS Graduation Rate
Near national avg (~87%)
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Near national avg (~16)
Childcare
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
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Childcare
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)
Utilities & Daily Costs
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
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Utilities & Daily Costs
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
Grid Carbon Intensity
Near US average (~820)
Avg Monthly Energy Bill
Electricity Rate
Below national avg (13¢)
Energy Mix
Avg Monthly Groceries
2-person household, moderate spending
Road Quality Rank
Airports & Travel
Sources: FAA · BTS
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Airports & Travel
Sources: FAA · BTS
Nonstop Destinations
From state's primary airport
Major Hub Airport
Top-25 US airport by passengers
Culture & Lifestyle
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
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Culture & Lifestyle
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
Urban Population
Mix of urban and rural
Restaurant Density
Religious Congregations
Pro Sports Teams
NFL + NBA + MLB + NHL + MLS
Major Venues
Stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters (10K+ capacity)
Craft Breweries
3.5/100K residents — Solid scene
Craft Distilleries
Strong spirits scene
Live Music
Asheville craft beer mecca; Charlotte/Raleigh growing; Wicked Weed and Burial nationally known
Transportation
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
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Transportation
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
Car Insurance (Avg Annual)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Broadband Access
Work From Home
State residents who primarily work from home (ACS)
Social & Legal
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
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Social & Legal
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
Formal Volunteering Rate
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023 (US ~28%)
Votes in Local Elections
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023
Abortion Access
12-week ban with exceptions
LGBTQ+ Protections
Marijuana
Minimum Wage
Right to Work
Sports Betting
Casino Gambling
Online Gambling
State Lottery
Harrah's Cherokee casinos (Tribal). Sports betting launched 2024.
Age of Consent
Sex Education
Sex ed required by state
Nude Beaches & Naturist Clubs
Whispering Pines (Raleigh area) · Paradise Lake Resort · Heliotrope Club
Environment & Climate
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
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Environment & Climate
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
Air Quality (Annual AQI)
Near national avg
Natural Disaster Risk
Primary Hazards
Politics & Gun Laws
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
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Politics & Gun Laws
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
2024 Presidential Vote
Gun Laws
Carry Permit
Purchase Permit Required
Carry in Bars
Carry in Restaurants
Carry in Places of Worship
Concealed allowed unless posted, no consuming; open carry prohibited in alcohol venues.
Gambling
Jobs & Economy
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
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Jobs & Economy
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
Job Openings Rate (JOLTS)
Tight labor market (US ~4.5%)
Quits Rate (JOLTS)
Workers quit when they can find better; BLS 2024 average
Job Market
+2.5% job growth · 3.5% unemployment
Top Industries
Tech Jobs
Strong tech presence
Healthcare Jobs
Remote Work
Median Household Income
Union Membership
Among the least unionized states (BLS 2025)
Business Climate
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
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Business Climate
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
Corporate Income Tax
LLC Formation Fee
LLC Annual Fee
Business Climate Rank
Daily Life
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
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Daily Life
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
Gas Price (Regular)
Well below avg (-0.26 vs national avg)
Consumer Fireworks
Consumer fireworks legal; some county restrictions
Motorcycle Helmet Law
Required for all riders (IIHS 2026)
Weather & Natural Risks
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
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Weather & Natural Risks
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
Winter Severity
Avg January high: 51°F
Summer Heat
Moderate summers
Annual Rainfall
Tornado Risk
Hurricane Risk
Wildfire Risk
Flood Risk
Natural Hazards
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
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Natural Hazards
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
Venomous Snakes
Spider Hazard
Hurricane Risk
Tornado Risk
Wildfire Risk
Earthquake Risk
Armadillo Leprosy Risk
Danger score is a composite index. Methodology ↗
Veteran Benefits
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
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Veteran Benefits
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
Veteran-Friendly Score
8.5% of state population are veterans
Property Tax Exemption
100% disabled: full property tax exempt
Military Retirement Pay
Active Duty Pay
VA Facilities Access
Notable Benefits
Explore North Carolina counties
Income, housing, poverty, healthcare — ranked by county
See your full cost of living in North Carolina
Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance — all estimated.
Compare Similar States
NC vs SC
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COL 94 vs 93 · 4.5% vs 6.2% income tax
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COL 94 vs 95 · 4.5% vs No income tax
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NC vs WI
North Carolina vs Wisconsin
COL 94 vs 93 · 4.5% vs 7.65% income tax
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COL 94 vs 96 · 4.5% vs 5.8% income tax
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Trending in North Carolina
Labor Day 2026: North Carolina ranks best for business economy, dead last for workers - NC Newsline
NC Newsline · Sep 7
Governor Stein Announces $69 Million to Support Affordable Rental Housing in Western North Carolina - NC Governor (.gov)
NC Governor (.gov) · Aug 25
Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) Speaks to Democratic Campaign Volunteers in North Carolina - C-SPAN
C-SPAN · Sep 5
Dobbs’s Near-Total Destruction of Abortion Rights Across the South - The New Republic
The New Republic · Sep 8
After over a year of deadlock, North Carolina finally has a budget - technicianonline.com
technicianonline.com · Aug 14
What Residents Say
Considering a Move to North Carolina
Your take home or net salary will probably be around 50k after taxes and insurance. You will probably spend $2500 - $3000 a month on rent, car, ......
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Anyone living in Connecticut in a similar situation?
For us moving to NC cost of living will be a lot less than it is in CT. With the plan for myself to go back to school I will be taking a pay cut ......
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"Hidden" costs of living in NC? : r/NorthCarolina
The inspection cost isn't that bad. It's $30 a year. What costs money is the annual property tax you pay on your car for the registration....
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Just moved here,came from California thinking things ...
North Carolina(my new state) income Tax at 15$/hr(31k/yr) = 4.99% = 1,546.90. (Let me preface this by saying I get 40 miles to the gallon ......
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Moving to NC question : r/NorthCarolina
Unless you are shifting entirely to living rurally, moving to NC to avoid tax increases is just a few-year move before you do it again. Also you ......
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$130k in Charlotte vs $110k in Florida ? : r/NorthCarolina
Folks I ve been living in Tampa since four years and have secured job offer from company located in Charlotte North Carolina paying around 130 K as a ......
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Moving from North Carolina to New Jersey
I'm in year 13 and I moved from NJ to FL to VA and I am planning my move back to NJ this summer. Cost of living could be more in NJ but it ......
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Thinking of moving from NC : r/newhampshire
The cost of living is much higher in NH than in NC. The biggest pro to living in NH vs NC is it's not the south....
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Should I move to South Carolina or North ...
North Carolina has higher taxes - depends on where you live I live ... cost of living is significantly higher compared to columbia....
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Cost of living : r/raleigh
50-55k after taxes is perfectly doable, yes, even without a roommate....
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North Carolina will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.
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North Carolina Guides
Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund 2023; life expectancy from County Health Rankings 2024. Education: Education Week 2023. Housing: Zillow monthly index and Census ACS 2022. Insurance: rate surveys 2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.