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 $85,743/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 140 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 2026
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.
Williamston (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 2026
/10
Population: 6,692
Cost Of Living Index: 183
Median Income: $250,001
Average Home Price: $1,251,046
Home Price To Income Ratio: 5.0x
More on Marvin: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Marvin is 183. The median income in Marvin comes in at $250,001 and the average home value is $1,251,046 for 2026.
/10
Population: 13,805
Cost Of Living Index: 146
Median Income: $190,766
Average Home Price: $1,074,643
Home Price To Income Ratio: 5.6x
More on Weddington: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Weddington is 146. The median income in Weddington comes in at $190,766 and the average home value is $1,074,643 for 2026.
/10
Population: 7,072
Cost Of Living Index: 142
Median Income: $116,383
Average Home Price: $694,376
Home Price To Income Ratio: 6.0x
More on St. James: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in St. James is 142. The median income in St. James comes in at $116,383 and the average home value is $694,376 for 2026.
/10
Population: 7,744
Cost Of Living Index: 136
Median Income: $155,385
Average Home Price: $599,278
Home Price To Income Ratio: 3.9x
More on Oak Ridge: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Oak Ridge is 136. The median income in Oak Ridge comes in at $155,385 and the average home value is $599,278 for 2026.
/10
Population: 61,607
Cost Of Living Index: 133
Median Income: $85,989
Average Home Price: $631,166
Home Price To Income Ratio: 7.3x
More on Chapel Hill: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Chapel Hill is 133. The median income in Chapel Hill comes in at $85,989 and the average home value is $631,166 for 2026.
/10
Population: 15,660
Cost Of Living Index: 131
Median Income: $166,556
Average Home Price: $655,967
Home Price To Income Ratio: 3.9x
More on Davidson: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Davidson is 131. The median income in Davidson comes in at $166,556 and the average home value is $655,967 for 2026.
/10
Population: 21,204
Cost Of Living Index: 128
Median Income: $85,743
Average Home Price: $429,674
Home Price To Income Ratio: 5.0x
More on Carrboro: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Carrboro is 128. The median income in Carrboro comes in at $85,743 and the average home value is $429,674 for 2026.
/10
Population: 9,090
Cost Of Living Index: 127
Median Income: $132,188
Average Home Price: $659,095
Home Price To Income Ratio: 5.0x
More on Wesley Chapel: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Wesley Chapel is 127. The median income in Wesley Chapel comes in at $132,188 and the average home value is $659,095 for 2026.
/10
Population: 45,248
Cost Of Living Index: 126
Median Income: $135,578
Average Home Price: $579,090
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.3x
More on Holly Springs: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Holly Springs is 126. The median income in Holly Springs comes in at $135,578 and the average home value is $579,090 for 2026.
/10
Population: 22,275
Cost Of Living Index: 125
Median Income: $131,894
Average Home Price: $628,812
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.8x
More on Waxhaw: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Waxhaw is 125. The median income in Waxhaw comes in at $131,894 and the average home value is $628,812 for 2026.
Methodology: How We Determined The Most Expensive Places To Live In The Tar Heel State For 2026
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 2020-2024 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 140 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 2026. This article is our eleventh time ranking the most expensive places to live in North Carolina.
Summary: Taking A Chunk Out Of Your Paycheck In North Carolina For 2026
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, Oak Ridge, Chapel Hill, Davidson, Carrboro, Wesley Chapel, Holly Springs, and Waxhaw.
Here’s a look at the most affordable cities in North Carolina according to the data:
- Williamston
- Henderson
- Long View
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 | 183 | 6,692 | $250,001 | $1,251,046 | 5.0x |
| 2 | Weddington | 146 | 13,805 | $190,766 | $1,074,643 | 5.6x |
| 3 | St. James | 142 | 7,072 | $116,383 | $694,376 | 6.0x |
| 4 | Oak Ridge | 136 | 7,744 | $155,385 | $599,278 | 3.9x |
| 5 | Chapel Hill | 133 | 61,607 | $85,989 | $631,166 | 7.3x |
| 6 | Davidson | 131 | 15,660 | $166,556 | $655,967 | 3.9x |
| 7 | Carrboro | 128 | 21,204 | $85,743 | $429,674 | 5.0x |
| 8 | Wesley Chapel | 127 | 9,090 | $132,188 | $659,095 | 5.0x |
| 9 | Holly Springs | 126 | 45,248 | $135,578 | $579,090 | 4.3x |
| 10 | Waxhaw | 125 | 22,275 | $131,894 | $628,812 | 4.8x |
| 11 | Whispering Pines | 125 | 5,211 | $126,450 | $529,288 | 4.2x |
| 12 | Cornelius | 124 | 32,783 | $113,767 | $527,117 | 4.6x |
| 13 | Cary | 123 | 179,306 | $134,905 | $626,395 | 4.6x |
| 14 | Carolina Beach | 122 | 6,745 | $94,398 | $606,035 | 6.4x |
| 15 | Apex | 121 | 70,630 | $144,135 | $599,084 | 4.2x |
| 16 | Morrisville | 121 | 31,422 | $125,396 | $480,925 | 3.8x |
| 17 | Summerfield | 121 | 11,116 | $160,275 | $519,609 | 3.2x |
| 18 | Pinehurst | 118 | 18,256 | $109,802 | $535,650 | 4.9x |
| 19 | Wake Forest | 117 | 52,844 | $123,802 | $512,160 | 4.1x |
| 20 | Matthews | 117 | 30,577 | $108,611 | $501,847 | 4.6x |
| 21 | Harrisburg | 117 | 19,633 | $148,254 | $494,883 | 3.3x |
| 22 | Raleigh | 116 | 481,031 | $85,395 | $433,996 | 5.1x |
| 23 | Huntersville | 116 | 63,969 | $120,516 | $550,754 | 4.6x |
| 24 | Rolesville | 116 | 10,766 | $149,565 | $497,995 | 3.3x |
| 25 | Asheville | 115 | 94,535 | $71,102 | $460,993 | 6.5x |
| 26 | Stallings | 114 | 16,886 | $115,974 | $461,632 | 4.0x |
| 27 | Elon | 114 | 11,032 | $84,773 | $350,879 | 4.1x |
| 28 | Hillsborough | 114 | 9,724 | $98,163 | $472,961 | 4.8x |
| 29 | Kill Devil Hills | 113 | 7,761 | $89,773 | $521,722 | 5.8x |
| 30 | Mills River | 113 | 7,281 | $105,398 | $530,765 | 5.0x |
| 31 | Fuquay-Varina | 112 | 40,485 | $115,497 | $525,746 | 4.6x |
| 32 | Southern Pines | 112 | 16,420 | $88,535 | $456,115 | 5.2x |
| 33 | Woodfin | 112 | 8,048 | $71,384 | $427,001 | 6.0x |
| 34 | Durham | 111 | 291,467 | $81,619 | $396,394 | 4.9x |
| 35 | Indian Trail | 111 | 42,036 | $108,483 | $419,102 | 3.9x |
| 36 | Mint Hill | 111 | 27,556 | $100,860 | $513,193 | 5.1x |
| 37 | Fletcher | 111 | 8,098 | $75,272 | $446,279 | 5.9x |
| 38 | Leland | 110 | 29,607 | $91,977 | $376,599 | 4.1x |
| 39 | Pineville | 110 | 11,055 | $69,354 | $403,663 | 5.8x |
| 40 | Oak Island | 110 | 9,030 | $85,872 | $568,671 | 6.6x |
| 41 | Mooresville | 109 | 52,381 | $89,647 | $482,315 | 5.4x |
| 42 | Carolina Shores | 109 | 5,017 | $76,087 | $319,365 | 4.2x |
| 43 | Charlotte | 108 | 903,844 | $82,068 | $397,125 | 4.8x |
| 44 | Wilmington | 108 | 120,805 | $66,738 | $416,159 | 6.2x |
| 45 | Clemmons | 108 | 21,871 | $87,655 | $387,813 | 4.4x |
| 46 | Black Mountain | 108 | 8,513 | $77,042 | $463,738 | 6.0x |
| 47 | Stokesdale | 108 | 6,004 | $121,071 | $386,451 | 3.2x |
| 48 | Knightdale | 107 | 20,214 | $103,220 | $370,204 | 3.6x |
| 49 | Boone | 107 | 20,032 | $30,065 | $483,788 | 16.1x |
| 50 | Belmont | 107 | 15,546 | $94,883 | $432,564 | 4.6x |
| 51 | Morehead City | 105 | 9,806 | $56,233 | $410,236 | 7.3x |
| 52 | Concord | 104 | 108,719 | $86,921 | $382,592 | 4.4x |
| 53 | Garner | 104 | 34,473 | $78,756 | $384,100 | 4.9x |
| 54 | Lewisville | 104 | 13,828 | $100,917 | $404,563 | 4.0x |
| 55 | Unionville | 104 | 6,954 | $96,028 | $419,700 | 4.4x |
| 56 | Archer Lodge | 104 | 5,186 | $91,188 | $377,861 | 4.1x |
| 57 | Mebane | 103 | 19,538 | $83,174 | $353,220 | 4.2x |
| 58 | Cramerton | 103 | 5,450 | $82,160 | $305,443 | 3.7x |
| 59 | Clayton | 102 | 29,320 | $78,822 | $364,741 | 4.6x |
| 60 | Kernersville | 102 | 27,830 | $71,918 | $322,446 | 4.5x |
| 61 | Hendersonville | 102 | 15,408 | $53,449 | $405,675 | 7.6x |
| 62 | Wendell | 102 | 13,064 | $95,787 | $369,603 | 3.9x |
| 63 | Brevard | 102 | 7,897 | $54,103 | $464,517 | 8.6x |
| 64 | Hickory | 100 | 44,258 | $64,576 | $293,999 | 4.6x |
| 65 | Monroe | 100 | 36,759 | $72,540 | $356,519 | 4.9x |
| 66 | Greensboro | 99 | 301,198 | $61,515 | $264,427 | 4.3x |
| 67 | Jacksonville | 99 | 71,279 | $57,697 | $261,055 | 4.5x |
| 68 | Elizabeth City | 99 | 18,871 | $52,141 | $264,970 | 5.1x |
| 69 | Butner | 99 | 8,065 | $74,739 | $273,630 | 3.7x |
| 70 | Boiling Spring Lakes | 99 | 6,347 | $62,676 | $315,222 | 5.0x |
| 71 | Pleasant Garden | 99 | 5,060 | $88,204 | $315,482 | 3.6x |
| 72 | Fayetteville | 98 | 210,815 | $58,407 | $225,534 | 3.9x |
| 73 | Gastonia | 98 | 82,884 | $64,059 | $277,330 | 4.3x |
| 74 | Waynesville | 98 | 10,502 | $54,923 | $355,351 | 6.5x |
| 75 | Gibsonville | 98 | 9,467 | $95,861 | $307,075 | 3.2x |
| 76 | Aberdeen | 98 | 9,228 | $75,078 | $352,796 | 4.7x |
| 77 | King | 98 | 7,408 | $57,817 | $276,085 | 4.8x |
| 78 | Mount Holly | 97 | 18,208 | $79,385 | $360,773 | 4.5x |
| 79 | High Point | 96 | 116,245 | $64,561 | $249,820 | 3.9x |
| 80 | Kannapolis | 96 | 57,890 | $73,836 | $279,707 | 3.8x |
| 81 | Hope Mills | 96 | 17,939 | $65,774 | $263,454 | 4.0x |
| 82 | Havelock | 96 | 17,691 | $58,408 | $233,895 | 4.0x |
| 83 | Lincolnton | 96 | 11,783 | $46,320 | $296,022 | 6.4x |
| 84 | Winterville | 96 | 10,725 | $83,193 | $278,291 | 3.3x |
| 85 | Angier | 96 | 6,241 | $52,214 | $333,902 | 6.4x |
| 86 | Locust | 96 | 5,840 | $76,504 | $384,686 | 5.0x |
| 87 | Greenville | 95 | 92,857 | $49,748 | $235,821 | 4.7x |
| 88 | Wilson | 95 | 48,370 | $52,485 | $218,942 | 4.2x |
| 89 | Salisbury | 95 | 35,825 | $53,716 | $280,645 | 5.2x |
| 90 | New Bern | 95 | 32,734 | $61,031 | $281,327 | 4.6x |
| 91 | Statesville | 95 | 29,894 | $52,880 | $297,069 | 5.6x |
| 92 | Conover | 95 | 8,580 | $65,972 | $277,411 | 4.2x |
| 93 | Nashville | 95 | 5,729 | $61,000 | $257,559 | 4.2x |
| 94 | Burlington | 94 | 59,610 | $56,880 | $256,022 | 4.5x |
| 95 | Sanford | 94 | 31,478 | $57,586 | $291,206 | 5.1x |
| 96 | Smithfield | 94 | 12,116 | $43,270 | $293,390 | 6.8x |
| 97 | Washington | 94 | 9,726 | $40,186 | $242,528 | 6.0x |
| 98 | Oxford | 94 | 8,914 | $43,054 | $255,872 | 5.9x |
| 99 | Zebulon | 94 | 8,711 | $79,112 | $341,720 | 4.3x |
| 100 | Winston-Salem | 93 | 252,037 | $59,268 | $264,332 | 4.5x |