North Carolina
AffordabilityAffordability: grade B, better than 61% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 33% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 27% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade C, better than 34% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 61% of US states
- bottom 16% for school quality
North Carolina is a U.S. state with about 10,470,000 residents. It grades B for affordability and C for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include annual snowfall, amenities nearby, and income tax. It rates lower on summer humidity and school quality.
Official websitenc.gov (opens in new tab)
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$68k25th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$53kbetter than 42% of US states
Home Value$248k45th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 51% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 69% of US states
Property Tax Rate0.77%better than 65% of US states
Income Tax4.50%better than 70% of US states
Sales Tax7.00%better than 51% of US states
Estimated total tax burden9.51%better than 62% of US states
Unemployment5.1%better than 51% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)42°F76th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)79°F73rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation49.1 in75th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall3.9 inbetter than 75% of US states
Sunny Days211 daysbetter than 35% of US states
Summer Humidity68°Fbetter than 18% of US states
Comfortable Days82 daysbetter than 48% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk83.6better than 41% of US states
Air Quality47 AQIbetter than 52% of US states
School Quality43.1better than 16% of US states
Violent Crime1379/100kbetter than 32% of US states
Property Crime2021/100kbetter than 32% of US states
Community
Population10,470,21484th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age39.561st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.4963rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9622nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningEven53rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)61.7%37th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)20.6%84th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)10.0%49th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)3.1%55th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)4.6%51st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time25 minbetter than 53% of US states
Walkability7.4/20better than 24% of US states
Airport Distance50 mibetter than 61% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access87.0%better than 35% of US states
Amenities Nearby5.50better than 73% of US states
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 67% of US states
Frequently asked questions
- Is North Carolina an affordable place to live?
- North Carolina is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $53k, better than 42% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in North Carolina?
- The median home value in North Carolina is $248k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in North Carolina?
- Median household income in North Carolina is $68k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in North Carolina?
- Median gross rent in North Carolina is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is North Carolina safe?
- North Carolina is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1379/100k (better than 32%). Property crime is 2021/100k.
- What is the weather like in North Carolina?
- North Carolina averages 79°F in July and 42°F in January, with 49.1 in of annual precipitation and about 211 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in North Carolina?
- Public-school quality in North Carolina is below average, scoring better than 16% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in North Carolina?
- The average one-way commute in North Carolina is 25 min.
Best places to live in North Carolina
Top cities in North Carolina
Counties in North Carolina
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)