Cost of Living in Northchase, NC

Population 5,879 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

97
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Younger and more credentialed than the state overall — median age 29, 31% with a bachelor's — Northchase has the labor and housing dynamics of a university town. Demand for rentals peaks sharply around fall enrollment. Around 21% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Located 7 miles north of Wilmington, Northchase falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 18% lower than Wilmington's $350,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 94
Rent 102

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Northchase

The median home value in Northchase is $286,700 — 6% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,342/month, 2% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,659/year is 24% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 20.1%, above 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 74.4°F and lows of 54.4°F. Overall, Northchase has a cost of living index of 97 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 3% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$286,700
6% below avg
Median Rent
$1,342/mo
2% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$826
1 BR
$860
2 BR
$1,049
3 BR
$1,384
4 BR
$1,637
Owner-occupied 43.5%
Renter-occupied 56.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,342
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,956/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
25.6 min
5% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
19.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.9%
Carpooled
8.2%
Work from home
19.9%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.5%
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 4.8%
Avg local rate 2.2%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$56,659
24% below avg
Per Capita Income
$23,657
Unemployment Rate
20.1%
317% above avg
Poverty Rate
21.1%
Labor Force Participation
72.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 31.2%
Graduate degree 7.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 28.9
Male median age 21.9
Female median age 37.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
74.4°F
Avg Low
54.4°F
Annual Precip
60.1"
Annual Snowfall
0.9"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 576067758187908884766760
Low °F 363844536169737267564539
Precip" 3.813.473.973.074.545.676.868.168.694.663.563.69
Snow" 0.70.20.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
65.5%
Good air days/yr
142
Max AQI recorded
271
PM2.5 days
91
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Northchase, NC?

Northchase has a cost index of 97 (100 = national average). It is 3% below the national average.

What is average rent in Northchase, NC?

The median gross rent in Northchase is $1,342 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Northchase?

The median home value in Northchase is $286,700 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Northchase?

The median household income in Northchase is $56,659 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Northchase, NC?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Northchase is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.

Is Northchase, NC affordable?

Northchase is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 97 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Northchase?

Northchase has average high temperatures of 74.4°F and average lows of 54.4°F. Annual precipitation is 60.1". Average annual snowfall is 0.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Northchase at a Glance

Population
5,879
Median Income
$56,659
Home Value
$286,700
Median Rent
$1,342/mo
Unemployment
20.1%
Avg High Temp
74.4°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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