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Cost & Benefits

Most affordable towns in North Carolina, 2026

Sawmills is the most affordable ranked town in North Carolina. Rent, the regional price level, taxes, and electricity are 22.5% each. Gasoline is 10%. A lower score is more affordable.

Summary

164
Towns ranked in North Carolina.
Sawmills
Number 1 in North Carolina. Rent is 12.3% of income. National rank 21.
21.0%
Median rent share among ranked towns in North Carolina.
3
Ranked North Carolina towns in the national top 100.
Boone
Least affordable ranked town in North Carolina. Rent is 44.3% of income. National rank 3374.

Gasoline

$4.035

per gallon. EIA does not publish a North Carolina price. This is the Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) price for the week of October 12, 2026. At 12,000 miles a year and 25 mpg, that is $1,936.80 a year for every ranked town in North Carolina.

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Benefits and taxes in North Carolina

Top 25

  1. #1 in North Carolina · National #21

    Sawmills

    Rent share 12.3% · Price level 88.5 · Score 0.153

    Median rent is $730 a month and median income is $71,067, so rent is 12.3% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro price level is 88.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  2. #2 in North Carolina · National #75

    Lenoir

    Rent share 16.0% · Price level 88.5 · Score 0.179

    Median rent is $664 a month and median income is $49,910, so rent is 16.0% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro price level is 88.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  3. #3 in North Carolina · National #89

    Lake Norman of Catawba

    Rent share 14.0% · Price level 88.5 · Score 0.184

    Median rent is $1,319 a month and median income is $112,656, so rent is 14.0% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro price level is 88.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  4. #4 in North Carolina · National #101

    Lewisville

    Rent share 13.0% · Price level 92.0 · Score 0.187

    Median rent is $1,095 a month and median income is $100,917, so rent is 13.0% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Winston-Salem, NC metro price level is 92.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  5. #5 in North Carolina · National #121

    Trinity

    Rent share 13.9% · Price level 92.9 · Score 0.195

    Median rent is $955 a month and median income is $82,664, so rent is 13.9% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Greensboro-High Point, NC metro price level is 92.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  6. #6 in North Carolina · National #124

    Conover

    Rent share 16.3% · Price level 88.5 · Score 0.195

    Median rent is $898 a month and median income is $65,972, so rent is 16.3% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro price level is 88.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  7. #7 in North Carolina · National #125

    Gibsonville

    Rent share 12.9% · Price level 92.9 · Score 0.196

    Median rent is $1,034 a month and median income is $95,861, so rent is 12.9% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Greensboro-High Point, NC metro price level is 92.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  8. #8 in North Carolina · National #142

    Summerfield

    Rent share 11.4% · Price level 92.9 · Score 0.199

    Median rent is $1,521 a month and median income is $160,275, so rent is 11.4% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Greensboro-High Point, NC metro price level is 92.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  9. #9 in North Carolina · National #179

    Stokesdale

    Rent share 14.4% · Price level 92.9 · Score 0.208

    Median rent is $1,450 a month and median income is $121,071, so rent is 14.4% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Greensboro-High Point, NC metro price level is 92.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  10. #10 in North Carolina · National #246

    Locust

    Rent share 14.0% · Price level 94.3 · Score 0.222

    Median rent is $895 a month and median income is $76,504, so rent is 14.0% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The North Carolina state price level is 94.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  11. #11 in North Carolina · National #247

    Thomasville

    Rent share 17.3% · Price level 92.0 · Score 0.222

    Median rent is $879 a month and median income is $60,935, so rent is 17.3% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Winston-Salem, NC metro price level is 92.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  12. #12 in North Carolina · National #321

    St. Stephens

    Rent share 19.0% · Price level 88.5 · Score 0.236

    Median rent is $958 a month and median income is $60,394, so rent is 19.0% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro price level is 88.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  13. #13 in North Carolina · National #339

    Swannanoa

    Rent share 13.6% · Price level 96.5 · Score 0.238

    Median rent is $788 a month and median income is $69,760, so rent is 13.6% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Asheville, NC metro price level is 96.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is regional price level.

  14. #14 in North Carolina · National #346

    Clemmons

    Rent share 17.4% · Price level 92.0 · Score 0.239

    Median rent is $1,269 a month and median income is $87,655, so rent is 17.4% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Winston-Salem, NC metro price level is 92.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  15. #15 in North Carolina · National #347

    Pinehurst

    Rent share 18.2% · Price level 88.3 · Score 0.239

    Median rent is $1,664 a month and median income is $109,802, so rent is 18.2% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC metro price level is 88.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  16. #16 in North Carolina · National #374

    Unionville

    Rent share 12.2% · Price level 97.3 · Score 0.242

    Median rent is $978 a month and median income is $96,028, so rent is 12.2% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro price level is 97.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is regional price level.

  17. #17 in North Carolina · National #417

    Southern Pines

    Rent share 18.4% · Price level 88.3 · Score 0.248

    Median rent is $1,354 a month and median income is $88,535, so rent is 18.4% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC metro price level is 88.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  18. #18 in North Carolina · National #441

    Kernersville

    Rent share 18.1% · Price level 92.0 · Score 0.250

    Median rent is $1,082 a month and median income is $71,918, so rent is 18.1% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Winston-Salem, NC metro price level is 92.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  19. #19 in North Carolina · National #444

    Rolesville

    Rent share 8.7% · Price level 98.2 · Score 0.250

    Median rent is $1,085 a month and median income is $149,565, so rent is 8.7% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Raleigh-Cary, NC metro price level is 98.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is regional price level.

  20. #20 in North Carolina · National #452

    Long View

    Rent share 20.4% · Price level 88.5 · Score 0.252

    Median rent is $794 a month and median income is $46,739, so rent is 20.4% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro price level is 88.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  21. #21 in North Carolina · National #472

    Marion

    Rent share 17.8% · Price level 94.3 · Score 0.254

    Median rent is $762 a month and median income is $51,314, so rent is 17.8% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The North Carolina state price level is 94.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  22. #22 in North Carolina · National #477

    Anderson Creek

    Rent share 17.2% · Price level 94.3 · Score 0.254

    Median rent is $1,251 a month and median income is $87,287, so rent is 17.2% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The North Carolina state price level is 94.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  23. #23 in North Carolina · National #481

    Tarboro

    Rent share 20.3% · Price level 88.0 · Score 0.254

    Median rent is $843 a month and median income is $49,796, so rent is 20.3% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Rocky Mount, NC metro price level is 88.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  24. #24 in North Carolina · National #485

    Davidson

    Rent share 11.9% · Price level 97.3 · Score 0.255

    Median rent is $1,652 a month and median income is $166,556, so rent is 11.9% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro price level is 97.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  25. #25 in North Carolina · National #488

    King

    Rent share 18.6% · Price level 92.0 · Score 0.255

    Median rent is $895 a month and median income is $57,817, so rent is 18.6% of income, under the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Winston-Salem, NC metro price level is 92.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is rent share.

Least affordable 10

  1. #164 in North Carolina · National #3374

    Boone

    Rent share 44.3% · Price level 94.3 · Score 0.467

    Median rent is $1,111 a month and median income is $30,065, so rent is 44.3% of income, over the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The North Carolina state price level is 94.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  2. #163 in North Carolina · National #3210

    Wesley Chapel

    Rent share 29.0% · Price level 97.3 · Score 0.456

    Median rent is $3,191 a month and median income is $132,188, so rent is 29.0% of income, over the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro price level is 97.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  3. #162 in North Carolina · National #3188

    Hendersonville

    Rent share 29.9% · Price level 96.5 · Score 0.454

    Median rent is $1,332 a month and median income is $53,449, so rent is 29.9% of income, over the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Asheville, NC metro price level is 96.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  4. #161 in North Carolina · National #3162

    Pineville

    Rent share 26.9% · Price level 97.3 · Score 0.453

    Median rent is $1,552 a month and median income is $69,354, so rent is 26.9% of income, over the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro price level is 97.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  5. #160 in North Carolina · National #3115

    Cullowhee

    Rent share 29.0% · Price level 94.3 · Score 0.449

    Median rent is $869 a month and median income is $35,929, so rent is 29.0% of income, over the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The North Carolina state price level is 94.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  6. #159 in North Carolina · National #3002

    Carolina Shores

    Rent share 31.1% · Price level 96.4 · Score 0.440

    Median rent is $1,973 a month and median income is $76,087, so rent is 31.1% of income, over the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Wilmington, NC metro price level is 96.4 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  7. #158 in North Carolina · National #2994

    Ogden

    Rent share 28.4% · Price level 96.4 · Score 0.440

    Median rent is $2,867 a month and median income is $121,338, so rent is 28.4% of income, over the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Wilmington, NC metro price level is 96.4 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  8. #157 in North Carolina · National #2990

    Northchase

    Rent share 27.6% · Price level 96.4 · Score 0.439

    Median rent is $1,365 a month and median income is $59,375, so rent is 27.6% of income, over the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Wilmington, NC metro price level is 96.4 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  9. #156 in North Carolina · National #2880

    Roxboro

    Rent share 28.2% · Price level 97.6 · Score 0.431

    Median rent is $860 a month and median income is $36,553, so rent is 28.2% of income, over the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro price level is 97.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  10. #155 in North Carolina · National #2864

    Woodfin

    Rent share 26.0% · Price level 96.5 · Score 0.430

    Median rent is $1,546 a month and median income is $71,384, so rent is 26.0% of income, over the 21.0% median for ranked towns in North Carolina. The Asheville, NC metro price level is 96.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.16 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

The formula

A lower score is more affordable. Rent share, the regional price level, taxes, and electricity each count 22.5%. Gasoline counts 10%. Those weights are our choice. Gasoline stays at 10% because the miles figure is one national standard, not a measured town commute. This is not a government standard.

A percentile is the share of ranked towns with a strictly lower number, divided by the number of ranked towns minus one. The lowest number scores 0. Tied numbers share a percentile.

  1. Rent share = (median monthly rent × 12) / median household income. Both figures are the Census 2020–2024 medians for that place.
  2. RPP-adjusted cost is the BEA 2024 all-items regional price parity. A basket priced at 100 for the U.S. average costs this many dollars in the town's area. We use the metro index when the county is in a metro BEA publishes. Otherwise we use the state index and say so. This index includes housing, so housing also shows up in the rent share.
  3. Tax burden is the average of three percentiles. Income-tax share is state income tax plus the stored 2023 local AGI add-on, divided by the town's median household income, on a joint return. Property share is the state's median effective property-tax rate times the town's median home value, divided by income. Sales rate is the combined state and average local sales-tax rate. We do not turn the sales rate into dollars, because that would require a shopping basket we do not have.
  4. Electricity is the state residential price in cents per kilowatt-hour. Every town in a state shares it. We do not guess how many kilowatt-hours a home uses.
  5. Gasoline is the EIA retail price for all grades and all formulations, in dollars per gallon. Where EIA publishes a state series, we use that state. Every other state uses the PADD region EIA assigns to it. Census does not publish commuting miles for these towns, so annual gas spend is 12,000 miles a year divided by 25 miles per gallon, times the price. That is 480 gallons, the same for every town. Those miles are our standard, not an ACS figure and not a government mileage rule. Because the gallons do not change, the gas percentile is the percentile of the price.

    Weekly prices are for the week of October 12, 2026, from the EIA workbook released October 14, 2026. File: https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/xls/pswrgvwall.xls. Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and Oregon use West Coast (PADD 5) Except California. That series is not in the weekly workbook, so those five use the monthly price dated September 15, 2026. File: https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_a_epm0_pte_dpgal_m.htm.

    • State series, week of October 12, 2026: California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Texas, Washington.
    • Central Atlantic (PADD 1B), week of October 12, 2026: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
    • Gulf Coast (PADD 3), week of October 12, 2026: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico.
    • Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C), week of October 12, 2026: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia.
    • Midwest (PADD 2), week of October 12, 2026: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin.
    • New England (PADD 1A), week of October 12, 2026: Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont.
    • Rocky Mountain (PADD 4), week of October 12, 2026: Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming.
    • West Coast (PADD 5) Except California, September 15, 2026: Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon.

Score = 0.225 × rent percentile + 0.225 × price-level percentile + 0.225 × tax score + 0.225 × electricity percentile + 0.10 × gasoline percentile. Rank 1 is the lowest score. If scores tie, the lower rent share wins, then the lower price level, then the place slug in A-to-Z order.

Questions

What is the most affordable town in North Carolina in this index?

Sawmills is number 1 of 164 ranked towns in North Carolina. Median rent is 12.3% of median income. Its national rank is 21.

How many towns in North Carolina were ranked?

164 towns in North Carolina have at least 5,000 people and published Census rent, income, and home value. Places missing one of those figures are left out.

Does this ranking approve benefits in North Carolina?

No. Cost & Benefits does not approve or deny benefits. The score is a cost comparison only.