Cost of Living in Morehead City, NC
Population 9,696 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Morehead City sits on the smaller end of the North Carolina city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.
Morehead City lies roughly 75 miles northeast of the nearest major metro, Wilmington — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Wilmington's $350,000 median.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Morehead City
The median home value in Morehead City is $330,900 — 8% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,122/month, 15% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $53,718/year is 28% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.6%, below the national average of 4.8%. North Carolina's top state income tax rate is 4.5% and the combined sales tax is 7.0%. The climate averages highs of 71.7°F and lows of 55.9°F. Overall, Morehead City has a cost of living index of 99 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 1% less expensive.
Morehead City has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 55 | 57 | 63 | 70 | 78 | 84 | 87 | 86 | 82 | 75 | 66 | 59 |
| Low °F | 38 | 39 | 45 | 54 | 63 | 71 | 74 | 73 | 68 | 57 | 47 | 41 |
| Precip" | 4.17 | 3.33 | 3.31 | 3.39 | 3.94 | 4.06 | 5.81 | 7.29 | 8.46 | 4.14 | 3.99 | 3.79 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Morehead City, NC?
Morehead City has a cost index of 99 (100 = national average). It is 1% below the national average.
What is average rent in Morehead City, NC?
The median gross rent in Morehead City is $1,122 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Morehead City?
The median home value in Morehead City is $330,900 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Morehead City?
The median household income in Morehead City is $53,718 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Morehead City, NC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Morehead City is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.
Is Morehead City, NC affordable?
Morehead City is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 99 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in Morehead City?
Morehead City has average high temperatures of 71.7°F and average lows of 55.9°F. Annual precipitation is 55.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Morehead City at a Glance
- Population
- 9,696
- Median Income
- $53,718
- Home Value
- $330,900
- Median Rent
- $1,122/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.6%
- Avg High Temp
- 71.7°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
North Carolina Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs