North Carolina
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
State Profile
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Taxes
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
Cost of Living Index
National avg = 100
Median Home Price
Median Rent (2BR)
Home Insurance
Flood Insurance
Homestead Exemption
Home equity protected from creditors
Asset Protection
Crime & Safety
Violent Crime Rate
Near national avg
Property Crime Rate
Near national avg
Traffic Fatality Rate
Healthcare
State Healthcare Rank
Life Expectancy
Medicaid Expansion
Uninsured Rate
Education
K-12 Quality Rank
School Choice / Vouchers
Childcare
Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)
Utilities & Daily Costs
Avg Monthly Energy Bill
Avg Monthly Groceries
2-person household, moderate spending
Road Quality Rank
Airports & Travel
Nonstop Destinations
From state's primary airport
Major Hub Airport
Top-25 US airport by passengers
Culture & Lifestyle
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
Car Insurance (Avg Annual)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Broadband Access
Social & Legal
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
Air Quality (Annual AQI)
Near national avg
Natural Disaster Risk
Primary Hazards
Politics & Gun Laws
2024 Presidential Vote
Gun Laws
Carry Permit
Purchase Permit Required
Gambling
Jobs & Economy
Job Market
+2.5% job growth · 3.5% unemployment
Top Industries
Tech Jobs
Strong tech presence
Healthcare Jobs
Remote Work
Median Household Income
Daily Life
Gas Price (Regular)
Well below avg (-0.26 vs national avg)
Consumer Fireworks
Consumer fireworks legal; some county restrictions
Weather & Natural Risks
Winter Severity
Avg January high: 51°F
Summer Heat
Moderate summers
Annual Rainfall
Tornado Risk
Hurricane Risk
Wildfire Risk
Flood Risk
Veteran Benefits
Veteran-Friendly Score
6.5% of state population are veterans
Property Tax Exemption
Partial exemption for service-connected disability
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
North Carolina vs South Carolina
COL 94 vs 93 · 4.5% vs 6.2% income tax
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NC vs SD
North Carolina vs South Dakota
COL 94 vs 95 · 4.5% vs No income tax
Full comparison →
NC vs WI
North Carolina vs Wisconsin
COL 94 vs 93 · 4.5% vs 7.65% income tax
Full comparison →
NC vs ID
North Carolina vs Idaho
COL 94 vs 96 · 4.5% vs 5.8% income tax
Full comparison →
Stay Current
Get notified when North Carolina tax laws, gun laws, or social policy changes.
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 UCR ~2022. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund / US News ~2023. Education: Education Week ~2023. Housing: Zillow / Census ACS ~2024. Insurance: rate surveys ~2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.