Mild climate, affordable healthcare, and rich culture have motivated people to move to North Carolina. But it’s not that easy for everyone. With a median home price of 335K, North Carolina can be expensive.
Should that stop you from moving to the Old North State? Absolutely NOT!
Cities like Eden and Rocky Mount offer several budget-friendly options. While Eden offers the cost of living 22% lower than the national average, the median home price in Rocky Mount is $189K.
Whether you’re a retiree or a young professional looking for exciting opportunities, North Carolina has affordable housing for everyone. Let’s explore some of the cheapest places to live in North Carolina!
4 Reasons to live in NC🏖️
- Cheaper Houses: The median home sale price in North Carolina is ~$353K. But you can get houses between $135K and $230K in cities like Eden, Fayetteville, and Burlington.
- Tax Benefits: The standard tax deduction is $12,950 for Single filers, $25,900 for Married Filing Jointly and Surviving Spouses, and $19,400 for the Head of Household.
- Affordable Healthcare: Healthcare in cities that are listed below is up to 5% lower than the state average.
- Cheaper Rentals: The rent prices of these cities are lower than the national average. You can save up to $400 per month in rent.
Cheapest Places to Live in North Carolina in 2024
This list provides insights into the average household income, median listing price, population, unemployment rate, and poverty rate of the cities.
| City | Median Household Income | Median Home Value | Population | Unemployment Rate | Poverty Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eden | $43,607 | $150,717 | 15,332 | 5.4% | 22.1% |
| Rocky Mount | $50,092 | $190,479 | 54,245 | 5.5% | 14.9% |
| Fayetteville | $53,424 | $218,174 | 209,749 | 4.6% | 18.7% |
| Thomasville | $45,789 | $230,396 | 27,435 | 4.4% | 18.2% |
| Asheboro | $44,405 | $243,142 | 27,726 | 3.5% | 21.7% |
| Burlington | $52,963 | $228,886 | 60,032 | 3.5% | 18.8% |
| Greenville | $47,485 | $238,861 | 90,053 | 3.9% | 25.2% |
| Kinston | $35,653 | $142,233 | 19,411 | 3.4% | 28.2% |
| Lumberton | $41,314 | $152,662 | 19,121 | 5.0% | 29.4% |
| Henderson | $37,670 | $183,138 | 14,857 | 3.0% | 23.3% |
10 Cheapest Places to Live in North Carolina (NC)
The annual population growth of 11.7% since 2010 is reflective of people’s intention to move to North Carolina. If you’re considering shifting to the Tar Heel State, here are some cities that offer affordable living options:
1. Eden
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 22%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $150,717 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $803 |
| 🌅 Known For | Eden Historical Museum |
Eden is an affordable place to live in North Carolina. Its median house rent ranges from $690 – $2,600. It also offers affordable transportation which is 23.1% lower than the national average.
Eden, a budget-friendly location in North Carolina, is situated in the Greensboro-High Point Metropolitan Statistical Area. It’s an ideal spot for those seeking a peaceful and quiet living environment. Additionally, the city has tow major employers Osborne and Gildan that offers many jobs.
» Homes for Sale in Eden, NC: Find your dream home in this city.
2. Rocky Mount
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 19.3%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $190,479 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $995 |
| 🏞️ Known For | Tobacco |
Rocky Mount is one of the most budget-friendly rental destinations in North Carolina with an average home rent of $850. It also offers affordable healthcare which is 12.6% lower than the national average.
Rocky Mount is a great place for people looking to buy a home. It has good opportunities for businesses, and living here is not expensive. Moreover, it draws a varied community, including healthcare workers, financial experts, and military personnel, attracted by the employment possibilities.
» Homes for Sale in Rocky Mount, NC: Browse thousands of properties in cheapest cities to live in North Carolina.
3. Fayetteville
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 18.6%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $218,174 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,400 |
| 🏖️ Known For | Rich History |
With rental costs below the national average, Fayetteville stands as one of the most affordable cities to live in North Carolina. The house rent price is between $400 – $3,271.
Fayetteville is known for its relatively low cost of living compared to other cities in North Carolina. Home to Fort Bragg Army Base, the city also possesses a booming job market and a well-rounded education system. Additionally, Walmart and Home Depot are also major employers in Fayetteville in retail industry.
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4. Thomasville
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 16.3%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $230,396 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,250 |
| 🏖️ Known For | Furniture Manufacturing |
Thomasville offers budget-friendly living with a median rent of $1,250, which is $95 lower than the national median. With monthly utilities costs being 7% lower than the state average, the city stands out as one of the most inexpensive places to live in North Carolina.
Thomasville offers a blend of parks, museums, excellent golf courses, and vibrant festival celebrations. The makes the city an ideal place to live with family. There are also top companies like Old Dominion Freight Line and Lexington Home Brands that offers many job opportunities.
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5. Asheboro
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 19.5%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $243,142 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,145 |
| 🎨 Known For | Zoo |
Asheboro’s cost of living is 19.5% lower than the national average. The average transportation are 25.8% lower than the national average.
Asheboro’s affordable food, health, housing, and transportation facilities make the city one of the cheapest places to live in North Carolina. Besides its low cost of living and affordable housing, this city has major employers like Pyramid Services Inc and Technimark.
» Homes for Sale in Asheboro, NC: Browse through thousands of properties in the center point of North Carolina.
6. Burlington
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 16.3%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $228,886 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,384 |
| 🏫 Known For | Textile Industry |
The house rent in Burlington is between $850 – $4,020. With an average household income of $52,963, you can comfortably live in this city.
Burlington is a compelling real estate choice for outdoor enthusiasts seeking affordable living in North Carolina. This city is known for being affordable. Houses don’t cost a lot, and the everyday expenses are low. Apart from this, Central Carolina Products and Knowtro Inc are major employers in the city.
» Homes for Sale in Burlington, NC: Find a home in one of the cheapest places to live in North Carolina.
7. Greenville
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 14.7%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $238,861 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,350 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Manufacturing Industries |
Greenville is one of the best places to live in North Carolina. The median home price in Greenville is $238,861. The monthly expenditure on food for an individual amounts to $489, making it one of the most budget-friendly options across the country.
Greenville offers a variety of attractions, including museums, restaurants, and riverfront parks like Town Common. Notably, River Park North and the East Carolina University campus contribute to the city’s distinctive charm.
» Homes for Sale in Greenville, NC: Get yourself a home in this vibrant city.
8. Kinston
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 24.6%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $142,233 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $900 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Barbeque Cuisine |
With rental cost of $1,250 below the national average, Kinston stands as one of the most affordable cities to live in North Carolina. The house rent price range is between $600 to $2,500. It offers the cheapest real estate in NC. Also, the city offers budget friendly transportation cost of 38.2% lower to national average.
Food and utility costs are also less expensive in Kinston compared to national average. Apart from this, the city has two major employers like Hillco and Field Controls that offers many job opportunities.
» Homes for Sale in Kinston, NC: Search cheap places to live in North Carolina.
9. Lumberton
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 28%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $152,662 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,250 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Lumber River State Park |
Lumberton’s cost of housing is 28% lower than the national average. The average transportation expenses are 29.9% lower than the US average. The city is located in Robeson County and in close proximity to major city like Fayetteville.
The city has growing job rate of 14.72% which is higher than US average. Moreover, Lumberton Cellulose and Flo-Tite are two top companies in manufacturing sectors. Thus, this city is a good option to buy a house as it is affordable for its residents.
» Homes for Sale in Lumberton, NC: Find homes in least expensive places to live in North Carolina.
10. Henderson
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 27.9%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $183,138 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $858 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Regional Business and Retail Center |
Often referred to as the ‘The Gateway City’ Henderson’s cost of living is 20.8% lower than the state average. The average expenses on transportation are 29.3% lower than the national average.
Living in Henderson is special because of its welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Apart from this, the city has two top companies that offers jobs Variety Wholesalers and LifePoint Health in retail and healthcare sectors.
» Homes for Sale in Lumberton, NC: Browse properties in cheapest city to live in NC.
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The Bottom Line
The cost of living in North Carolina is 5% lower than the national average. Nevertheless, it is also home to some of the most expensive cities in America. However, if you want to shift to North Carolina, you can find affordable housing in cities like Eden, Rocky Mount, and Fayetteville.
Cities like Burlington and Greenville have a slightly expensive cost of living but provide better job opportunities. You must research the city’s home prices and living costs before relocating.
» Free Home Value Estimator: Get an estimate of property values with North Carolina’s most accurate home value estimator.
Find Homes for Sale in NC Under Your Specific Budget
» Best Rental Websites in America: Can’t find your dream home within your budget? Explore thousands of listings on the nation’s top rental websites.
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Research Methodology
We’ve created this list by considering factors such as cost of living, median home price, and rental price range. We have also accounted for the population, median household income, poverty rate, and unemployment rate in these cities.
To compile this list of the cheapest areas to live in North Carolina, we have drawn data from the Economic Research Institute, World Population Review, Rent Cafe, and Zillow.
FAQs
What is the cheapest place to live in North Carolina?
The cheapest place to live in North Carolina is Eden.
» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in North Carolina: Find out the other cheapest places to live in North Carolina!
Where is the best place to live in NC?
The best place to live in North Carolina is Asheville, followed by Charlotte, Wilmington, Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Winston-Salem.
Is North Carolina the cheapest place to live in?
No, it is not. The median home value is $335,521. If you're looking for cities with affordable housing and a low cost of living, you can try your luck in some of these cheapest places in America.
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