These Are The 10 Cheapest Places To Live In North Carolina For 2018


We used data and science to determine which places in North Carolina go easy on your wallet.

Chris Kolmar, About HomeSnacks
December 27, 2017 - 21,255 views
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A wise sage once said:

“She works hard for the money…”

And these places in North Carolina definitely treat her right.

You see, these are the places in North Carolina where the cost of living is the lowest; where your salary goes the furthest. And when if you have the luxury of choosing where to live in the Tar Heel State, then the cost of living should play a role in the decision.

So we did the hard for you and crunched the numbers to find the cities that have lower food, energy, and housing costs. After the dust settled on our analysis of the 133 largest places in North Carolina, we were left with this set of the best value for your money.

Here are the 10 cheapest places to live in North Carolina for 2018:

  1. Eden (Photos | Homes For Sale)
  2. Siler City (Photos | Homes For Sale)
  3. Graham (Photos | Homes For Sale)
  4. Burlington (Photos | Homes For Sale)
  5. Greensboro (Photos | Homes For Sale)
  6. Gibsonville (Photos | Homes For Sale)
  7. Selma (Photos | Homes For Sale)
  8. Mebane (Photos | Homes For Sale)
  9. Tarboro (Photos | Homes For Sale)
  10. Henderson (Photos | Homes For Sale)

So listen up Carolina Beach (the most expensive place in North Carolina) as we explain how we created this ranking. You could learn some things from the rest of the state.

And if you already knew these places were cheap, check out some more reading about North Carolina and the cheapest places in the country:

How We Determined The Cheapest Places To Live In The Tar Heel State For 2018

Map Of The Cheapest Places To Live In North Carolina
There are basic necessities that you have to buy no matter where in the country you live. Those things include:

  • Housing
  • Food
  • Gas
  • Health Insurance
  • Utilities
  • Transportation

You can then compare the cost of these things in each of the places in North Carolina to figure out which is the least expensive.

What you are left with is a “Cost of Living Index” that normalizes to 100 for an average place in the United States.

So we used that cost of living index in order to rank all of the 133 places in North Carolina that have more than 5,000 people.

And just so you can better understand how the cost of living index works, 100 is the average cost of a place in the United States. A score of 90 means that the place cost 10% less than average. A score of 90 means it’s 10% less expensive.

San Francisco has a score of 243 meaning it’s almost 2.5 times as expensive as the average place in the country.

1. Eden

Eden Location In

Eden, NC

Source: Wikipedia User Mike Kalasnik f | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 15,488
Services: 96
Groceries: 96
Health Care: 88
Housing: 52
Transportation: 90
Utilities: 80
More on Eden: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Eden is a city in Rockingham County, North Carolina in the Piedmont area of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 15,527 at the 2010 census. From the late nineteenth century through much of the 20th, the city was a center of textile mills and manufacturing. The city was incorporated in 1967 through the consolidation of three separate towns: Leaksville, Spray, and Draper. The phone Area code is area code 336.

2. Siler City

Siler City, NC

Source: Wikipedia User Gerry Dincher | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 7,967
Services: 94
Groceries: 100
Health Care: 99
Housing: 61
Transportation: 100
Utilities: 95
More on Siler City: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Siler City is a town in Chatham County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town’s population was 7,887. The population was estimated to be 8,169 in 2013.

3. Graham

Graham Location In

Graham, NC

Source: Wikipedia User Dantripphoto | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 14,152
Services: 94
Groceries: 100
Health Care: 99
Housing: 70
Transportation: 100
Utilities: 95
More on Graham: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Graham is a city in Alamance County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census the population was 14,153. It is the county seat of Alamance County.

4. Burlington

Burlington Location In

Burlington, NC

Source: Wikipedia User Mike Kalasnik f | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 50,355
Services: 94
Groceries: 100
Health Care: 99
Housing: 74
Transportation: 100
Utilities: 95
More on Burlington: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Burlington is a city in Alamance County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the principal city of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Alamance County, in which most of the city is located, and is a part of the Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point CSA. The population was 50,042 at the 2010 census, which makes Burlington the 17th largest city in North Carolina. The Metropolitan Statistical Area population was over 150,000 in 2010.

5. Greensboro

Greensboro Location In

Greensboro, NC

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 270,619
Services: 94
Groceries: 100
Health Care: 99
Housing: 81
Transportation: 100
Utilities: 95
More on Greensboro: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Greensboro ; formerly Greensborough) is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the 3rd-most populous city in North Carolina, the 68th-most populous city in the United States, and the county seat and largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 269,666, and in 2015 the estimated population was 285,342. Three major interstate highways in the Piedmont region of central North Carolina were built to intersect at this city.

6. Gibsonville

Gibsonville Location In

Gibsonville, NC

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

8
/10

Population: 6,377
Services: 94
Groceries: 100
Health Care: 99
Housing: 84
Transportation: 100
Utilities: 95
More on Gibsonville: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Gibsonville is a city in both Alamance County and Guilford County, U.S. state of North Carolina. Most of Gibsonville is situated in the Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point Combined Statistical Area while the eastern portion is in the Greensboro-High Point, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area, encompassing all of Alamance County. According to 2010 Census, population of Gibsonville was 6,410.

7. Selma

Selma Location In

Selma, NC

Source: Wikipedia User DanTD (talk) | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 6,125
Services: 100
Groceries: 100
Health Care: 99
Housing: 56
Transportation: 99
Utilities: 98
More on Selma: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Selma is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2010, the population was 6,073. Selma is part of the Raleigh-Durham-Cary Combined Statistical Area, and the Raleigh-Cary Metropolitan Statistical Area. The area has a population over 1.7 million residents, though the town of Selma is able to maintain its rural character. The Everitt P. Stevens House, located in Selma, was the site of the last Grand Review of the Confederate Army held on April 6, 1865, after its defeat at the Battle of Bentonville.

8. Mebane

Mebane Location In

Mebane, NC

Source: Wikipedia User Adchampion91 | GFDL
Overall SnackAbility

8
/10

Population: 11,502
Services: 94
Groceries: 100
Health Care: 99
Housing: 89
Transportation: 100
Utilities: 95
More on Mebane: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Mebane is a city located mostly in Alamance County, North Carolina, United States, and partly in Orange County, North Carolina. The town was named for Alexander Mebane, an American Revolutionary War general and member of the U.S. Congress. It was incorporated as “Mebanesville” in 1881, and in 1883 the name was changed to “Mebane”. It was incorporated as a city in 1987. The population as of the 2010 census was 11,393. Mebane is one of the fastest growing municipalities in North Carolina.

9. Tarboro

Tarboro Location In

Tarboro, NC

Source: Flickr User RegulusAlpha | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 11,401
Services: 100
Groceries: 100
Health Care: 99
Housing: 59
Transportation: 99
Utilities: 98
More on Tarboro: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Tarboro is a town located in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Rocky Mount Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 11,415. It is the county seat of Edgecombe County. Tarboro is located near the western edge of North Carolina’s coastal plain. It has many historical churches, some dating from the early 19th century.

10. Henderson

Henderson Location In

Henderson, NC

Source: Wikipedia User KimWrenn | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 15,389
Services: 97
Groceries: 96
Health Care: 101
Housing: 66
Transportation: 111
Utilities: 88
More on Henderson: Real Estate | Data | Photos

Henderson, a city with a population of 15,368 at the 2010 census, is the county seat of Vance County, North Carolina, United States.

There You Have It Mr. Or Mrs. North Carolina Cheapskate

If you’re looking at the cost of living numbers in North Carolina, this is an accurate list of the cheapest places to call home.

Here’s a look at the most expensive cities in North Carolina according to the data:

  1. Carolina Beach
  2. Kill Devil Hills
  3. Oak Island

For more North Carolina reading, check out:

Detailed List Of The Cheapest Places In North Carolina

Rank City CheapScore Population Services Groceries Health Care
1 Eden 5.0 15,488 96 96 88
2 Siler City 36.0 7,967 94 100 99
3 Graham 39.08 14,152 94 100 99
4 Burlington 40.75 50,355 94 100 99
5 Greensboro 43.58 270,619 94 100 99
6 Gibsonville 44.33 6,377 94 100 99
7 Selma 45.25 6,125 100 100 99
8 Mebane 45.83 11,502 94 100 99
9 Tarboro 46.0 11,401 100 100 99
10 Henderson 47.0 15,389 97 96 101
11 Kinston 47.0 21,746 100 100 99
12 Thomasville 47.33 26,760 91 102 111
13 Lexington 47.33 19,038 91 102 111
14 Dunn 48.17 9,310 100 100 99
15 Clinton 48.17 8,640 100 100 99
16 Roanoke Rapids 48.17 15,783 100 100 99
17 Rocky Mount 49.33 57,523 100 100 99
18 Asheboro 49.67 25,109 91 102 111
19 Goldsboro 49.67 36,738 100 100 99
20 Butner 49.83 7,566 97 96 101
21 Spring Lake 49.83 12,465 100 100 99
22 Trinity 50.42 6,639 91 102 111
23 Oxford 50.75 8,518 97 96 101
24 Salisbury 50.83 33,548 91 102 111
25 Smithfield 51.17 11,118 100 100 99
26 Elon 51.5 9,354 94 100 99
27 Hope Mills 51.75 15,139 100 100 99
28 Nashville 51.75 5,319 100 100 99
29 Sanford 51.75 28,081 100 100 99
30 Archdale 52.67 11,205 91 102 111
31 Fayetteville 53.33 200,439 100 100 99
32 Wilson 53.33 49,086 100 100 99
33 Wendell 53.92 5,892 100 100 99
34 Greenville 54.58 84,445 100 100 99
35 High Point 55.33 104,394 91 102 111
36 Ahoskie 56.5 5,074 104 91 109
37 Hamlet 56.92 6,554 97 100 101
38 Roxboro 56.92 8,400 112 102 93
39 Durham 57.08 229,963 97 96 101
40 Aberdeen 57.08 6,311 100 100 99
41 Clayton 57.42 16,078 100 100 99
42 Rockingham 57.42 9,524 97 100 101
43 Hillsborough 58.42 6,114 97 96 101
44 Sawmills 58.75 5,200 97 100 101
45 Wadesboro 58.75 5,795 97 100 101
46 Garner 58.75 25,784 100 100 99
47 Winterville 59.33 9,117 100 100 99
48 Knightdale 59.33 11,567 100 100 99
49 Reidsville 59.33 14,463 112 102 93
50 Bessemer City 59.75 5,372 97 100 101
51 Fuquay-Varina 60.08 18,143 100 100 99
52 Kings Mountain 60.25 10,835 97 100 101
53 Shelby 60.92 20,331 97 100 101
54 Newton 60.92 12,991 97 100 101
55 Raleigh 61.08 405,007 100 100 99
56 Cherryville 61.42 5,765 97 100 101
57 Albemarle 61.67 15,913 97 100 101
58 Laurinburg 61.83 15,965 98 104 97
59 Southern Pines 62.25 12,439 100 100 99
60 Lumberton 62.58 21,595 98 104 97
61 Wake Forest 63.08 29,889 100 100 99
62 Holly Springs 63.08 24,663 100 100 99
63 Lincolnton 63.25 10,536 97 100 101
64 Marion 63.25 7,997 99 102 100
65 Carrboro 63.25 19,702 97 96 101
66 Chapel Hill 63.42 57,088 97 96 101
67 Apex 63.5 37,589 100 100 99
68 Conover 63.67 8,118 97 100 101
69 Forest City 63.67 7,480 99 102 100
70 Morrisville 63.83 18,566 100 100 99
71 Cary 64.5 136,627 100 100 99
72 Pinehurst 65.0 14,000 91 102 111
73 Lenoir 65.25 18,171 99 102 100
74 Kannapolis 65.42 42,845 97 100 101
75 Statesville 65.42 24,803 97 100 101
76 Gastonia 66.08 71,865 97 100 101
77 Hickory 67.33 40,075 97 100 101
78 Mount Holly 67.92 13,506 97 100 101
79 Monroe 68.42 33,101 97 100 101
80 Pineville 69.17 7,562 97 100 101
81 Belmont 69.17 10,156 97 100 101
82 Morganton 69.75 16,932 99 102 100
83 Concord 70.5 79,171 97 100 101
84 Charlotte 71.5 740,931 97 100 101
85 Mooresville 72.58 32,462 97 100 101
86 Indian Trail 73.25 33,246 97 100 101
87 Woodfin 73.42 6,044 99 102 100
88 Unionville 73.83 6,020 97 100 101
89 Mint Hill 74.17 22,890 97 100 101
90 Mount Airy 74.25 10,449 114 98 105
91 Stallings 74.42 13,638 97 100 101
92 Harrisburg 74.58 11,360 97 100 101
93 Matthews 74.75 27,516 97 100 101
94 Waynesville 74.83 9,864 99 102 100
95 Hendersonville 75.25 13,122 99 102 100
96 Waxhaw 75.42 9,743 97 100 101
97 Huntersville 75.58 46,656 97 100 101
98 Cornelius 76.08 24,818 97 100 101
99 Brevard 76.25 7,566 99 102 100
100 Mocksville 76.67 5,034 114 98 105

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