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Cost of Living in North Carolina

2026 Census HTOPS data on expenses, housing, employment, and more in North Carolina (NC).

79.26%
Expense Difficulty
15.11%
Behind on Rent
8.48%
Uninsured
57.65%
Employed
24.2%
AI Usage
$1,100
Median Rent
47.5%
Cost-Burdened Renters
3.4%
Unemployment Rate

North Carolina vs. National Average

Expense Difficulty1.1 pts better
NC: 79.26%
US: 80.39%
Rent Behind6.5 pts worse
NC: 15.11%
US: 8.6%
Uninsured0.8 pts worse
NC: 8.48%
US: 7.67%
Employed0.8 pts better
NC: 57.65%
US: 56.85%
AI Usage~ average
NC: 24.2%
US: 24.45%

Cost of Living Overview

About This Data

Census HTOPS data is reported at the Census Division level. Metrics for North Carolina reflect the South Atlantic division. Supplemental rent and unemployment data come from the American Community Survey (via FRED) and Bureau of Labor Statistics respectively.