A+
7%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
12%
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 Kannapolis North Carolina National
Cost of living9394100
Goods & Services9198100
Groceries9798100
Health care95108100
Housing8885100
Transportation10192100
Utilities10194100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Kannapolis, NC

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Kannapolis? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Kannapolis stands at 93, making it 7% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

In Kannapolis, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Kannapolis will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

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

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 7 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Kannapolis and this is how they responded. 29% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 71% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Kannapolis Affordable?

Is Kannapolis 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 Kannapolis is 13.3% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 7.8% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Kannapolis has a median household income of $55,923, which is 1.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Kannapolis?

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Kannapolis, the transportation index is 1.4% higher than the national average.

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Kannapolis, is 11.6% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Kannapolis cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates 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 Kannapolis is equal to the North Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Kannapolis is 7% lower than the national average
  • Kannapolis housing is 12% lower 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 Kannapolis

See all the best places to live around Kannapolis

Compare Kannapolis, 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$71,879$5,990$1,677$2,157
      Renters$39,847$3,321$930$1,196
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Kannapolis, 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 Kannapolis, homeowners have a median income of $71,879. Using that number, a maximum of $1,677 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $39,847, which means there is a maximum of $930 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 Kannapolis National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.02$24.2623.7%
      Beauty Salon $39.60$45.5613.1%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.3%
      Shampoo $1.34$1.284.6%
      Movie $13.67$12.1312.6%
      Bowling $18.63$18.003.5%

      Groceries

      Item Kannapolis National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.12$5.844.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.55$1.571.5%
      Milk $4.66$4.670.3%
      Potatoes $5.30$4.937.3%
      Pizza $11.64$12.093.7%
      Beer $10.31$10.410.9%

      Health Care

      Item Kannapolis National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $131.75$125.684.8%
      Doctor $157.27$135.7815.8%
      Dentist $130.26$113.2915.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.78$10.651.2%
      Lipitor $483.22$468.603.1%

      Housing

      Item Kannapolis National avg. Difference
      Home Price $160,200.00$184,700.0013.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,004.78$2,346.6914.6%
      Apartment Rent $875.00$949.007.8%

      Transportation

      Item Kannapolis National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.19$3.467.7%
      Tire Balancing $57.92$59.923.3%

      Utilities

      Item Kannapolis National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $160.96$193.9917.0%
      Phone $187.97$192.252.2%
      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.
      East Spencer, NC1,3828019.7%
      Enochville, NC3,3588712.5%
      China Grove, NC4,2258812.4%
      Rockwell, NC2,0908911.1%
      Salisbury, NC33,961909.7%
      Kannapolis, NC49,788936.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Little Elm, TX49,79212424.2%
      Poway, CA49,78017776.7%
      Twin Falls, ID49,819955.3%
      North Bethesda, MD49,71916060.3%
      Mishawaka, IN49,6758416.1%
      Kannapolis, NC49,788936.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.