The Most Affordable Cities in North Carolina (2026)

Ranked by cost index: the average of renting, buying, goods, and services compared to the national average (100). All data from Census ACS 2024 and BEA Regional Price Parities 2023.

1

Fayetteville

79.8

Rent: $1,372/mo · Homes: $211,300 · Income: $54,562

4.25% flat · Sales tax: 6.75%

2

Winston-Salem

81.6

Rent: $1,271/mo · Homes: $281,200 · Income: $57,758

4.25% flat · Sales tax: 6.75%

3

Greensboro

84.2

Rent: $1,314/mo · Homes: $290,200 · Income: $63,516

4.25% flat · Sales tax: 6.75%

4

Wilmington

100.2

Rent: $1,541/mo · Homes: $428,900 · Income: $63,165

4.25% flat · Sales tax: 7.0%

5

Durham

105.3

Rent: $1,670/mo · Homes: $439,400 · Income: $82,916

4.25% flat · Sales tax: 7.5%

6

Charlotte

105.9

Rent: $1,720/mo · Homes: $431,900 · Income: $86,416

4.25% flat · Sales tax: 7.25%

7

Raleigh

107.7

Rent: $1,661/mo · Homes: $450,300 · Income: $85,060

4.25% flat · Sales tax: 7.25%

8

Asheville

108.2

Rent: $1,611/mo · Homes: $500,400 · Income: $78,996

4.25% flat · Sales tax: 7.0%

9

Cary

122.7

Rent: $1,820/mo · Homes: $649,600 · Income: $135,132

4.25% flat · Sales tax: 7.25%

Sources: Rent and home prices from Census ACS 2024. Goods and services from BEA Regional Price Parities 2023. Tax rates from Tax Foundation.