Moving to North Carolina? 2023 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

North Carolina is a southeastern U.S. state with a geography that ranges from white sand beaches in the east to the Appalachian Mountains in the west. It is the 9th most populated state in the US, and is home to the ‘Research Triangle’, comprising of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.

If you are considering moving to North Carolina, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick North Carolina Facts:

Population: 10.55 million (2021)
Official Language: English
GDP Per Capita: $47,000 (2018)
Random Fact: North Carolina is home to the Biltmore Estate, which is the largest home in the US. It has 250 rooms and 8,000 acres of land.
Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to North Carolina

From State	Approx. Moving Cost
California	$2300
Florida	$1800
New York	$2000
Texas	$2100
Illinois	$1900
Ohio	$1700
Georgia	$1600
Michigan	$1800
New Jersey	$2000
Pennsylvania	$1500

This table lists the state of origin along with the estimated moving cost in US dollars to North Carolina. These costs are approximate and can vary based on several factors, including the specific locations within the states, the volume of goods being moved, and the timing of the move.

Also see the Best International Moving Companies in North Carolina here.

2. North Carolina Housing Costs

In North Carolina, housing costs can vary widely depending on the area. For instance, in upscale neighbourhoods of larger cities like Charlotte or Raleigh, median home prices can reach $300,000 to $400,000 or more, while downtown areas in smaller towns and rural parts of the state can have median home prices well under $200,000.

Monthly Rental Prices in North Carolina:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $1,870+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,500+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $3,800+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $2,950+

North Carolina Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $8,000+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $4,400+

North Carolina Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in North Carolina compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 18.2% more expensive
New York is 43.1% more expensive
Los Angeles is 20.2% more expensive
Toronto is 15.2% cheaper
Sydney is 4.1% more expensive
Paris is 37.9% cheaper
Dubai 14.2% cheaper

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: SpareRoom.
Different Areas – Different Prices: Housing costs in North Carolina fluctuate significantly based on the location. For example, in high-end areas of major cities like Charlotte’s Myers Park or Raleigh’s Brier Creek, median home prices often exceed $300,000. Conversely, in downtown regions of smaller towns such as Asheboro or Lumberton, or in rural areas, median home prices typically fall below $200,000.

3. North Carolina Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

North Carolina’s food culture is deeply rooted in Southern cuisine, with a distinct emphasis on farm-to-table trends, regional produce, and local seafood. The state is particularly famous for its barbecued pork, served in either Eastern style (vinegar-based sauce) or Lexington style (ketchup-based sauce), and other well-known staples include sweet potato pie, hush puppies, and Cheerwine, a cherry-flavoured soft drink.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $21.00
Takeout Coffee: $5.30
Bottle of Coke: $2.80
1L of Milk: $0.90
Loaf of Bread: $3.90
12 Eggs: $4.30
1kg Chicken: $9.90
1kg Beef: $17.20
1kg Apples: $4.80
1kg White Rice: $5.00

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

London restaurants are 8.5% more expensive and groceries are 23.3% cheaper than North Carolina.
New York restaurants are 12.5% more expensive and groceries are 26.5% more expensive than North Carolina.
Los Angeles restaurants are 8.5% more expensive and groceries are 8.2% more expensive than North Carolina.
Toronto restaurants are 17.6% cheaper and groceries are 6.7% cheaper than North Carolina.
Sydney restaurants are 12.3% cheaper and groceries are 4.9% more expensive than North Carolina.
Paris restaurants are 23% cheaper and groceries are 3.4% more expensive than North Carolina.
Dubai restaurants are 25.2% cheaper and groceries are 48.9% cheaper than North Carolina.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: North Carolina hosts an array of farmers’ markets like the State Farmers Market in Raleigh and the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, where local farmers sell fresh produce and artisanal goods. For supermarkets, the state offers a range from budget-friendly chains such as Food Lion and Aldi, to more upscale markets like Whole Foods and Harris Teeter.
Find Cheap Eats: North Carolina has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor.

4. North Carolina Alcohol Costs

North Carolina, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $6.50
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $8.00
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $2.75
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $2.80
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $14.00

How To Drink For Less in North Carolina:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.

5. North Carolina Transportation Fares

Public transportation in North Carolina varies by city: larger cities like Charlotte and Raleigh have bus systems and Charlotte has a light rail system, but overall, public transportation is somewhat limited and many residents rely on cars. In more rural areas, public transportation is even less prevalent, with some counties offering on-demand transit services.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

Adult single – $2.25
One-day ticket – $5.00
Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $76.50

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option.
Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in North Carolina

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
Verizon: $80 a month

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

North Carolina experiences a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of around 15.5°C. Typically, January is the coldest month with temperatures averaging around 2-6°C, while July is the hottest month with temperatures averaging around 24-30°C. The wettest month is usually July, but this can vary depending on the region within the state.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $60.00
Summer Dress: $50.00
Running Shoes (Trainers): $95.00
Business Shoes: $150.00
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $50.00
Deodorant: $3.50
Shampoo: $4.00
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $4.00
Gym Membership: $50.00
Movie (cinema) Ticket: $13.50

Source: Numbeo

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in North Carolina

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in North Carolina. If you’re moving to North Carolina from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in North Carolina:

Volkswagen Golf: $22,500+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $1.00

Source: Numbeo

Ways To Save Money on Driving in North Carolina:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try CarpoolWorld.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in North Carolina

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

The state sales tax rate in North Carolina is 4.75%. However, local county sales taxes are added to the state rate, which brings the total sales tax rate typically to between 6.75% and 7.5%, depending on the county.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in North Carolina at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in North Carolina you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

10. Flight Costs from North Carolina

If you do make the move to North Carolina, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of mid-2023:

London: $600
New York: $65
Los Angeles: $175
Toronto: $150
Vancouver: $180
Dubai: $775
Sydney: $1,400
Melbourne: $1,100
Cape Town: $1,100
Hong Kong: $900

Other Tips on Moving to North Carolina:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in North Carolina but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to North Carolina Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in North Carolina.

Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
Attend Local Events: North Carolina always has something going on. Have a look at Visit NC.

12. Moving to North Carolina with a Family

North Carolina is often considered a family-friendly location, offering a variety of outdoor activities, good schools, especially in the Raleigh-Durham area, and a relatively low cost of living compared to many other states. North Carolina’s overall crime rate is slightly higher than the national average, with certain areas having higher crime rates than others.

New Parents (or parents to be): There are free and paid antenatal classes and courses. Have a look at Atrium Health.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Cary, a suburb of Raleigh, is often recognised as one of the top family-friendly cities in North Carolina. It boasts top-rated schools, low crime rates, and a plethora of parks and recreational activities. Other notable family-friendly areas include Chapel Hill, known for its excellent schools and vibrant community, and Davidson, a smaller town with a strong sense of community and high-quality education.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in North Carolina. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – take a look at Visit NC.

13. Moving to North Carolina for Work

While it is possible to move to North Carolina without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. North Carolina’s economy is diverse with major sectors including healthcare, education, retail trade, manufacturing, and finance, and it’s notably a hub for technology and research, particularly in the Research Triangle Park area. The unemployment rate was about 4.3% in 2021.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale for the specific state.
How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to North Carolina, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to North Carolina from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in North Carolina, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: The state of Victoria is around 60% of the size of North Carolina.
Join Expat Groups: There are so few Australians in North Carolina that there isn’t a dedicated site. However, you can always start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to North Carolina from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in North Carolina. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size: 20% of the area that makes up Alberta is equivalent to North Carolina’s land mass.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to North Carolina from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in North Carolina. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

Size: 50% of the entirety of the UK will make up the size of North Carolina.
Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in North Carolina, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to North Carolina you can start by comparing moving quotes here.