You’ll need more than some pocket change and luck to afford to live in one of the Tar Heel state’s most expensive places. For many, you’ll need a miracle and a job that pays at least $85,825/year.
Places that made our top ten list like Wilmington and Asheville might be some of the most expensive places to buy a home, but the least expensive to rent.
To determine the most expensive places inNorth Carolina, we used Saturday Night Science to analyze the cost of living and data from the American Community Survey. We calculated the home price to income ratio and the rent to income ratio for the 133 North Carolina places places with at least 5,000 residents.
This analysis gave us a list of places you will need to win a hefty Powerball to live comfortably.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Most Expensive Places To Live In North Carolina For 2025
What’s the most expensive place to live in North Carolina? Well, HomeSnacks crunched the numbers and discovered that Marvin is the most expensive place to live in North Carolina.
Eden (the cheapest place to live in North Carolina) can show these guys how to live on a budget in the coming years. Read on for how these places had costs rise faster than inflation.
And if you already knew these places were expensive, check out some more reading about North Carolina and the most expensive cities in the country:
The 10 Most Expensive Places To Live In North Carolina For 2025
/10
Population: 6,542
Cost Of Living Index: 171
Median Income: $250,001
Average Home Price: $860,600
Home Price To Income Ratio: 3.4x
More on Marvin: Data
The overall cost of living in Marvin is 171. The median income in Marvin comes in at $250,001 and the average home value is $860,600 for 2025.
/10
Population: 13,468
Cost Of Living Index: 142
Median Income: $196,159
Average Home Price: $730,200
Home Price To Income Ratio: 3.7x
More on Weddington: Data
The overall cost of living in Weddington is 142. The median income in Weddington comes in at $196,159 and the average home value is $730,200 for 2025.
/10
Population: 6,901
Cost Of Living Index: 134
Median Income: $113,670
Average Home Price: $599,300
Home Price To Income Ratio: 5.3x
More on St. James: Data
The overall cost of living in St. James is 134. The median income in St. James comes in at $113,670 and the average home value is $599,300 for 2025.
/10
Population: 14,852
Cost Of Living Index: 127
Median Income: $152,969
Average Home Price: $626,000
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.1x
More on Davidson: Data
The overall cost of living in Davidson is 127. The median income in Davidson comes in at $152,969 and the average home value is $626,000 for 2025.
/10
Population: 59,889
Cost Of Living Index: 119
Median Income: $85,825
Average Home Price: $576,500
Home Price To Income Ratio: 6.7x
More on Chapel Hill: Data
The overall cost of living in Chapel Hill is 119. The median income in Chapel Hill comes in at $85,825 and the average home value is $576,500 for 2025.
/10
Population: 11,031
Cost Of Living Index: 119
Median Income: $151,131
Average Home Price: $490,100
Home Price To Income Ratio: 3.2x
More on Summerfield: Data
The overall cost of living in Summerfield is 119. The median income in Summerfield comes in at $151,131 and the average home value is $490,100 for 2025.
/10
Population: 8,923
Cost Of Living Index: 118
Median Income: $129,962
Average Home Price: $493,900
Home Price To Income Ratio: 3.8x
More on Wesley Chapel: Data
The overall cost of living in Wesley Chapel is 118. The median income in Wesley Chapel comes in at $129,962 and the average home value is $493,900 for 2025.
/10
Population: 7,660
Cost Of Living Index: 117
Median Income: $140,583
Average Home Price: $523,500
Home Price To Income Ratio: 3.7x
More on Oak Ridge: Data
The overall cost of living in Oak Ridge is 117. The median income in Oak Ridge comes in at $140,583 and the average home value is $523,500 for 2025.
/10
Population: 30,471
Cost Of Living Index: 114
Median Income: $125,404
Average Home Price: $481,800
Home Price To Income Ratio: 3.8x
More on Morrisville: Data
The overall cost of living in Morrisville is 114. The median income in Morrisville comes in at $125,404 and the average home value is $481,800 for 2025.
/10
Population: 19,203
Cost Of Living Index: 114
Median Income: $143,393
Average Home Price: $431,900
Home Price To Income Ratio: 3.0x
More on Harrisburg: Data
The overall cost of living in Harrisburg is 114. The median income in Harrisburg comes in at $143,393 and the average home value is $431,900 for 2025.
Methodology: How We Determined The Most Expensive Places To Live In The Tar Heel State For 2025
The two most important things to think about when it comes to being able to afford a city in North Carolina are:
- How much money do I make?
- How much do I have to spend to live there?
You need to understand your costs in the context of how much money you make.
For example, if the median household earns $100,000 and spends $40,000 on housing, it’s actually cheaper to live there than a place with a median income of $50,000 and housing costs of $21,000. You might spend more on housing, but you have more money overall to play with.
With that example in mind, we derived several statistics from the latest Census American Community Survey 2019-2023 around incomes and costs. They are:
- Overall Cost Of Living Index
- Median Home Price / Median Income (lower is better)
- Median Income / Median Rent (Higher is better)
- Median Home Price
You can then compare these metrics in each of the places in North Carolina to figure out which is the most expensive.
You are left with a “Cost of Living Index” by taking the average rank of each of these metrics for each city.
So we used that cost of living index to rank all of the 133 places in North Carolina that have more than 5,000 people.
The place with the highest cost of living in North Carolina according to the data is Marvin. We updated this article for 2025. This article is our tenth time ranking the most expensive places to live in North Carolina.
Summary: Taking A Chunk Out Of Your Paycheck In North Carolina For 2025
Well, there you have it, the places in North Carolina that have the highest cost of living, with Marvin ranking as the most expensive city in the Tar Heel State.
The most expensive cities in North Carolina are Marvin, Weddington, St. James, Davidson, Chapel Hill, Summerfield, Wesley Chapel, Oak Ridge, Morrisville, and Harrisburg.
Here’s a look at the most affordable cities in North Carolina according to the data:
- Eden
- Reidsville
- Thomasville
For more North Carolina reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In North Carolina
- Cheapest Places To Live In North Carolina
- Most Dangerous Cities In North Carolina
- Best Places To Raise A Family In North Carolina
- Safest Cities in North Carolina
- Worst Places To Live In North Carolina
Most Expensive Cities In North Carolina
| Rank | City | Cost Of Living | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price | Home/Income Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marvin | 171 | 6,542 | $250,001 | $860,600 | 3.4x |
| 2 | Weddington | 142 | 13,468 | $196,159 | $730,200 | 3.7x |
| 3 | St. James | 134 | 6,901 | $113,670 | $599,300 | 5.3x |
| 4 | Davidson | 127 | 14,852 | $152,969 | $626,000 | 4.1x |
| 5 | Chapel Hill | 119 | 59,889 | $85,825 | $576,500 | 6.7x |
| 6 | Summerfield | 119 | 11,031 | $151,131 | $490,100 | 3.2x |
| 7 | Wesley Chapel | 118 | 8,923 | $129,962 | $493,900 | 3.8x |
| 8 | Oak Ridge | 117 | 7,660 | $140,583 | $523,500 | 3.7x |
| 9 | Morrisville | 114 | 30,471 | $125,404 | $481,800 | 3.8x |
| 10 | Harrisburg | 114 | 19,203 | $143,393 | $431,900 | 3.0x |
| 11 | Cary | 113 | 176,686 | $129,399 | $525,200 | 4.1x |
| 12 | Cornelius | 112 | 32,009 | $114,688 | $512,400 | 4.5x |
| 13 | Waxhaw | 112 | 21,565 | $128,115 | $506,300 | 4.0x |
| 14 | Pinehurst | 112 | 17,992 | $104,955 | $423,300 | 4.0x |
| 15 | Huntersville | 111 | 62,458 | $119,951 | $439,300 | 3.7x |
| 16 | Carrboro | 111 | 21,170 | $85,927 | $507,100 | 5.9x |
| 17 | Carolina Beach | 111 | 6,665 | $88,239 | $487,800 | 5.5x |
| 18 | Stallings | 110 | 16,495 | $106,074 | $381,700 | 3.6x |
| 19 | Apex | 108 | 67,765 | $138,442 | $514,800 | 3.7x |
| 20 | Holly Springs | 108 | 43,429 | $132,435 | $485,500 | 3.7x |
| 21 | Matthews | 107 | 29,959 | $105,579 | $406,800 | 3.9x |
| 22 | Boone | 107 | 19,534 | $28,633 | $373,600 | 13.0x |
| 23 | Oak Island | 107 | 8,888 | $83,483 | $407,400 | 4.9x |
| 24 | Wake Forest | 106 | 51,199 | $120,777 | $435,000 | 3.6x |
| 25 | Kill Devil Hills | 106 | 7,727 | $85,747 | $401,700 | 4.7x |
| 26 | Mint Hill | 105 | 26,954 | $99,272 | $386,900 | 3.9x |
| 27 | Southern Pines | 105 | 16,052 | $83,681 | $416,300 | 5.0x |
| 28 | Asheville | 103 | 94,369 | $67,221 | $411,000 | 6.1x |
| 29 | Rolesville | 103 | 10,200 | $148,250 | $467,400 | 3.2x |
| 30 | Fletcher | 103 | 8,022 | $75,117 | $324,000 | 4.3x |
| 31 | Raleigh | 102 | 470,763 | $82,424 | $377,800 | 4.6x |
| 32 | Wilmington | 102 | 118,578 | $63,900 | $350,300 | 5.5x |
| 33 | Indian Trail | 102 | 41,146 | $99,073 | $343,500 | 3.5x |
| 34 | Leland | 102 | 26,307 | $88,576 | $358,800 | 4.1x |
| 35 | Elon | 102 | 11,325 | $82,717 | $355,800 | 4.3x |
| 36 | Mooresville | 101 | 51,447 | $88,592 | $348,500 | 3.9x |
| 37 | Fuquay-Varina | 101 | 37,749 | $111,447 | $410,600 | 3.7x |
| 38 | Lewisville | 101 | 13,655 | $84,424 | $284,300 | 3.4x |
| 39 | Mills River | 101 | 7,214 | $88,359 | $358,500 | 4.1x |
| 40 | Stokesdale | 101 | 5,943 | $135,389 | $368,600 | 2.7x |
| 41 | Clemmons | 100 | 21,574 | $84,326 | $306,900 | 3.6x |
| 42 | Pineville | 100 | 10,780 | $64,257 | $344,700 | 5.4x |
| 43 | Unionville | 100 | 6,826 | $92,009 | $312,200 | 3.4x |
| 44 | Morehead City | 99 | 9,696 | $53,718 | $330,900 | 6.2x |
| 45 | Brevard | 99 | 7,795 | $44,356 | $411,000 | 9.3x |
| 46 | Charlotte | 98 | 886,283 | $78,438 | $351,500 | 4.5x |
| 47 | Durham | 98 | 288,465 | $79,234 | $355,300 | 4.5x |
| 48 | Concord | 98 | 106,518 | $84,752 | $327,600 | 3.9x |
| 49 | Knightdale | 98 | 19,532 | $91,638 | $331,900 | 3.6x |
| 50 | Mount Holly | 98 | 17,928 | $75,928 | $286,400 | 3.8x |
| 51 | Black Mountain | 98 | 8,462 | $70,041 | $351,700 | 5.0x |
| 52 | Cramerton | 98 | 5,376 | $94,390 | $322,900 | 3.4x |
| 53 | Hickory | 97 | 43,747 | $63,361 | $248,300 | 3.9x |
| 54 | Monroe | 97 | 35,596 | $67,265 | $270,600 | 4.0x |
| 55 | Hillsborough | 97 | 9,656 | $98,467 | $430,100 | 4.4x |
| 56 | Gastonia | 96 | 81,632 | $60,554 | $250,000 | 4.1x |
| 57 | Clayton | 96 | 28,043 | $73,348 | $292,400 | 4.0x |
| 58 | King | 96 | 7,345 | $60,451 | $227,500 | 3.8x |
| 59 | Winston-Salem | 95 | 250,887 | $57,673 | $208,200 | 3.6x |
| 60 | Kernersville | 95 | 27,439 | $69,923 | $264,000 | 3.8x |
| 61 | Hendersonville | 95 | 15,253 | $52,337 | $282,500 | 5.4x |
| 62 | Waynesville | 95 | 10,408 | $50,554 | $254,800 | 5.0x |
| 63 | New Bern | 94 | 31,563 | $56,893 | $211,500 | 3.7x |
| 64 | Mebane | 94 | 18,899 | $84,312 | $295,600 | 3.5x |
| 65 | Belmont | 94 | 15,140 | $86,442 | $349,700 | 4.0x |
| 66 | Aberdeen | 94 | 8,969 | $72,955 | $287,200 | 3.9x |
| 67 | Garner | 93 | 32,543 | $77,496 | $320,300 | 4.1x |
| 68 | Elizabeth City | 93 | 18,740 | $50,947 | $202,100 | 4.0x |
| 69 | Lincolnton | 93 | 11,503 | $43,294 | $224,600 | 5.2x |
| 70 | Woodfin | 93 | 7,957 | $62,759 | $326,600 | 5.2x |
| 71 | Boiling Spring Lakes | 93 | 6,206 | $59,750 | $260,400 | 4.4x |
| 72 | Greenville | 92 | 88,540 | $50,564 | $213,100 | 4.2x |
| 73 | Kannapolis | 92 | 56,470 | $70,691 | $245,500 | 3.5x |
| 74 | Salisbury | 92 | 35,730 | $51,058 | $215,200 | 4.2x |
| 75 | Morganton | 92 | 17,541 | $49,434 | $208,300 | 4.2x |
| 76 | Kings Mountain | 92 | 11,472 | $45,507 | $177,700 | 3.9x |
| 77 | Butner | 92 | 7,996 | $72,917 | $225,600 | 3.1x |
| 78 | Zebulon | 92 | 7,961 | $58,940 | $275,400 | 4.7x |
| 79 | Dallas | 92 | 6,012 | $57,755 | $221,700 | 3.8x |
| 80 | Mocksville | 92 | 6,001 | $55,544 | $210,900 | 3.8x |
| 81 | Angier | 92 | 5,746 | $51,162 | $236,100 | 4.6x |
| 82 | Greensboro | 91 | 298,564 | $58,884 | $221,300 | 3.8x |
| 83 | Fayetteville | 91 | 209,692 | $56,395 | $171,900 | 3.0x |
| 84 | Jacksonville | 91 | 73,507 | $54,069 | $191,700 | 3.5x |
| 85 | Havelock | 91 | 16,471 | $64,433 | $186,800 | 2.9x |
| 86 | Newton | 91 | 13,223 | $56,869 | $169,300 | 3.0x |
| 87 | Winterville | 91 | 10,624 | $82,783 | $226,600 | 2.7x |
| 88 | Washington | 91 | 9,754 | $41,723 | $193,800 | 4.6x |
| 89 | Gibsonville | 91 | 9,289 | $105,981 | $262,400 | 2.5x |
| 90 | Conover | 91 | 8,491 | $57,375 | $238,300 | 4.2x |
| 91 | Bessemer City | 91 | 5,508 | $48,784 | $173,000 | 3.5x |
| 92 | High Point | 90 | 115,263 | $61,228 | $212,400 | 3.5x |
| 93 | Goldsboro | 90 | 33,448 | $47,005 | $173,700 | 3.7x |
| 94 | Mount Airy | 90 | 10,631 | $39,873 | $176,600 | 4.4x |
| 95 | Oxford | 90 | 8,897 | $48,135 | $177,200 | 3.7x |
| 96 | Wilson | 89 | 47,740 | $47,294 | $192,000 | 4.1x |
| 97 | Statesville | 89 | 29,161 | $55,492 | $226,100 | 4.1x |
| 98 | Albemarle | 89 | 16,527 | $52,825 | $186,100 | 3.5x |
| 99 | Smithfield | 89 | 11,798 | $37,827 | $217,000 | 5.7x |
| 100 | Rocky Mount | 88 | 54,175 | $52,927 | $148,300 | 2.8x |