Cost of Living in Tarboro, NC
Population 10,705 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Tarboro is a smaller North Carolina community of around 11000 residents, where median household incomes of $49,386 and housing costs ($156,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.3% — below most comparable cities in the state.
Tarboro is about 60 miles east of Raleigh, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 59% lower than Raleigh's $378,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Tarboro
The median home value in Tarboro is $155,500 — 49% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $698/month, 47% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $49,386/year is 34% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.3%, 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 71.8°F and lows of 49.3°F. Overall, Tarboro has a cost of living index of 52 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 48% less expensive.
🏠 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 | 52 | 55 | 63 | 73 | 80 | 87 | 91 | 88 | 83 | 73 | 63 | 55 |
| Low °F | 31 | 33 | 39 | 48 | 56 | 65 | 69 | 68 | 62 | 50 | 39 | 34 |
| Precip" | 3.51 | 2.87 | 3.97 | 3.61 | 2.92 | 3.90 | 4.59 | 4.92 | 4.91 | 3.16 | 3.09 | 2.93 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Tarboro, NC?
Tarboro has a cost index of 52 (100 = national average). It is 48% below the national average.
What is average rent in Tarboro, NC?
The median gross rent in Tarboro is $698 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Tarboro?
The median home value in Tarboro is $155,500 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Tarboro?
The median household income in Tarboro is $49,386 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Tarboro, NC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Tarboro is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.
Is Tarboro, NC affordable?
Yes, Tarboro is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 52 — about 48% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Tarboro?
Tarboro has average high temperatures of 71.8°F and average lows of 49.3°F. Annual precipitation is 44.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Tarboro at a Glance
- Population
- 10,705
- Median Income
- $49,386
- Home Value
- $155,500
- Median Rent
- $698/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.3%
- Avg High Temp
- 71.8°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
North Carolina Rankings
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