D+
19%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
64%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Huntersville North Carolina National
Cost of living11994100
Goods & Services10398100
Groceries10098100
Health care111108100
Housing16485100
Transportation9492100
Utilities8994100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Huntersville, NC

Understanding the cost of living in Huntersville can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Huntersville cost of living index is 119, which is 19% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

Housing costs significantly influence the Huntersville cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 63.6%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Huntersville?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 10 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Huntersville and this is how they responded. 70% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 30% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Huntersville Affordable?

Is Huntersville an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Huntersville is 72.2% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 43.6% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Huntersville has a median household income of $100,789, which is 82.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Huntersville?

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Huntersville, the housing index is 63.6% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Huntersville, the transportation index is 6.4% lower than the national average.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Huntersville, the groceries index is 0.3% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Huntersville cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Huntersville is 27% higher than the North Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Huntersville is 19% higher than the national average
  • Huntersville housing is 64% higher than the national average
  • North Carolina general sales tax is 7% lower than the national average
  • North Carolina state income tax is 83% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Huntersville

See all the best places to live around Huntersville

Compare Huntersville, NC Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$115,982$9,665$2,706$3,480
      Renters$62,683$5,224$1,463$1,881
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Huntersville, NC, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Huntersville, homeowners have a median income of $115,982. Using that number, a maximum of $2,706 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $62,683, which means there is a maximum of $1,463 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      North Carolina Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      North Carolina 4.75% 7.5%

      North Carolina Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      North Carolina 4.75% 4.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Huntersville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $18.25$24.2624.8%
      Beauty Salon $59.75$45.5631.1%
      Toothpaste $3.81$3.702.8%
      Shampoo $1.27$1.280.7%
      Movie $13.55$12.1311.7%
      Bowling $21.67$18.0020.4%

      Groceries

      Item Huntersville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.27$5.847.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.5%
      Milk $4.61$4.671.2%
      Potatoes $4.98$4.931.0%
      Pizza $10.96$12.099.3%
      Beer $10.47$10.410.5%

      Health Care

      Item Huntersville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $143.74$125.6814.4%
      Doctor $148.29$135.789.2%
      Dentist $115.52$113.292.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.77$10.651.1%
      Lipitor $467.34$468.600.3%

      Housing

      Item Huntersville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $318,000.00$184,700.0072.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,159.30$2,346.6934.6%
      Apartment Rent $1,363.00$949.0043.6%

      Transportation

      Item Huntersville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.29$3.464.9%
      Tire Balancing $53.32$59.9211.0%

      Utilities

      Item Huntersville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $167.89$193.9913.5%
      Phone $189.90$192.251.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Spencer Mountain, NC0990.6%
      Enochville, NC3,3588712.5%
      Lowell, NC3,676928.0%
      Stanley, NC3,734955.0%
      Ranlo, NC3,643964.2%
      Huntersville, NC57,28811918.7%

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      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Casa Grande, AZ57,3181065.5%
      Taunton, MA57,32711918.9%
      Hanford, CA57,33911716.6%
      Bradenton, FL57,3461033.0%
      Richland, WA57,35311312.5%
      Huntersville, NC57,28811918.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.