By Jacqueline DeMarco

(Last Updated – 03/2025)

Families looking to make a move to a new state will likely appreciate that North Carolina has not one but two of the best cities for families.

That’s right: You don’t need to give up city life to raise a family. U.S. News found that Raleigh, Durham, and Hickory, North Carolina are some of the best places for families to live in the entire country. It happens to be a pretty affordable state, too. Keep reading to learn more about the North Carolina cost of living.

What’s the Average Cost of Living in North Carolina?

Average Cost of Living in North Carolina: $51,081 per year

North Carolina residents will find that they aren’t spending drastically more or less than they would in other states. According to MERIC data gathered in 2024, North Carolina has the 28th-lowest cost of living in the United States. Residents of South Carolina can expect to spend even less, as the state came in two spots ahead of North Carolina when MERIC computed the least expensive states to live in. It can be hard to visualize what these rankings mean, so let’s take a closer look at data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The total personal consumption cost in North Carolina is $51,081 per year. Here’s how that breaks down.

All told, North Carolinians may need about $4,256 per person, per month.

Housing Costs in North Carolina

Average Housing Costs in North Carolina: $1,109 to $2,219 per month

There are plenty of housing units available in North Carolina (4.9 million, 2024 census data shows), which may explain why housing is fairly affordable in the Tar Heel State. Zillow gave a typical North Carolina home value of $328,101 in March 2025.

Here’s what you can expect housing in North Carolina to cost on a monthly basis, according to census data:

•  Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,561

•  Median studio rent: $1,109

•  Median one-bedroom rent: $1,224

•  Median two-bedroom rent: $1,199

•  Median three-bedroom rent: $1,279

•  Median four-bedroom rent: $1,670

•  Median five-bedroom (or more) rent: $2,219

•  Median gross rent: $1,245

Because the location of your home greatly influences its price, let’s look at the typical home values in 20 major North Carolina cities, according to Zillow, as of December 2024.

Utility Costs in North Carolina

Average Utility Costs in North Carolina: $328 per month

No matter where you live, you’ll need to cover the costs of basic utilities.

Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Sales, Revenue, and Average Price; Statista.com, “Average monthly residential utility costs in the United States, by state”; DoxoInsights, U.S. Cable & Internet Market Size and Household Spending Report; and Rentcafe.com, What Is the Average Water Bill?

Groceries & Food

Average Grocery & Food Costs in North Carolina: $356 per person, per month

While your dietary preferences can play a big role in how much you spend on food per month, so can where you live. North Carolina’s average annual food cost per person is estimated to be $4,271, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. That’s about $356 per person, per month. The area of North Carolina you live in can also play a role in your grocery costs. The Council for Community and Economic Research, outlined the grocery costs in major North Carolina cities as of 2024. Here are those annual average rankings.

Transportation

Average Transportation Costs in North Carolina: $9,887 to $18,397 per year

Whether you’re commuting to bustling downtown Raleigh or spending a weekend relaxing in the Outer Banks, getting around North Carolina costs money.

How much money you expect to spend can vary based on what your household looks like. Here are a few examples of average transportation costs for different family structures from MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, based on data as of February 2025.

Health Care

Average Health Care Costs in North Carolina: $8,166 per person, per year

The Bureau of Economic Analysis Personal Consumption Expenditures by State report found that the average per-capita cost of health care in North Carolina is $8,166 per year.

Location, the type of coverage you have, and how often you need care will influence your bottom-line expense.

Child Care

Average Child Care Costs in North Carolina: $732 to $1,170 or more per child, per month

The cost of child care is a large but necessary expense for most parents, though there is some wiggle room depending on what kind of care you’re seeking.

If you’re struggling to afford child care costs, it’s worth looking into the Child Care Subsidy program for eligible families in North Carolina.

According to data from CostofChildCare.org, these are the average child care costs in North Carolina.

Taxes

Tax Rate in North Carolina: 4.25%

In North Carolina, estimating what you’ll owe in state income tax is pretty simple, since this state has a single rate tax of 4.25% instead of a graduated rate. As seen on the Tax Foundation’s State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets for 2025, North Carolina’s rate of 4.25% is close to nearby states’ rates. In South Carolina, the top marginal tax rate is 6.2%, while Virginia to the north has a top rate of 5.75% and Kentucky tops out at 4%. North Carolina’s neighbor on its western border, Tennessee, however, does not charge residents any income tax.

Miscellaneous Costs

Once you pay all of your bills, it’s understandable if you want to treat yourself to a little fun. If each North Carolinian spends about $28,384 a year on personal expenditures, some of these cheap thrills could factor in (costs accurate as of March 2025):

•  A day at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro: $11 per child (under 2 years old are free) and $15 per adult

•  Entrance to the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills: $10 per person

•  Breakfast at the beloved Biscuit Head restaurant in Asheville: $12 for the “Full Breakfast”

•  A kite at Kitty Hawk Kites on the Outer Banks: $4.99 to $2,049.99

•  Tickets to see a production of The Lost Colony play in Manteo: Range from $0 (kids 5 and under) to $44 (adults), depending on seat location and other discounts.

•  A chopped BBQ plate at Lexington Barbecue: $12.90

Museum lovers will appreciate that the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh has free general admission.

Recommended: What Are the Average Monthly Expenses for One Person?

How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in North Carolina?

While we all have varying definitions of what it means to live comfortably, U.S. News & World Report’s Affordability Rankings can give you a good idea of how achievable that concept is in each state. North Carolina came in 24th in terms of basic affordability. According to MERIC, North Carolina takes the 28th spot, sandwiched between Mississippi on the low end and Hawaii on the high end, when it comes to cost of living. So it looks like the state is pretty much in the middle, which could mean comfortable to many.

What City Has the Lowest Cost of Living in North Carolina?

All states have their more expensive and more affordable spots to live in. If you have your eye on North Carolina, these are three of the major cities and metro areas with the lowest cost of living, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research’s Cost of Living Index for 2024.

By Kenny Zhu

(Last Updated – 04/2025)

In Oklahoma, is it true that the wind often comes sweepin’ down the plains? Surely. Another thing that’s true: Oklahoma is one of the most affordable states in the country.

The state has gorgeous landscapes, between the sprawling prairies of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge to the flowing creeks of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. There are plenty of state parks and wildlife refuges to explore.

Just over 4 million “Okies” call Oklahoma home; It also happens to be home to the second-highest proportion of Native Americans in the country, and nearly half of the state is considered an Indian reservation.

If you’re considering moving to the Sooner State, you’ll want to know the cost of living in Oklahoma.

What’s the Average Cost of Living in Oklahoma?

Average Cost of Living in Oklahoma: $44,398 per year

Oklahoma has the second-lowest cost of living in the United States, behind only West Virginia, according to MERIC’s 2024 Cost of Living Index.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis’ Personal Consumption Expenditures data shows that the average cost of living in Oklahoma is $44,398 per year, which also happens to be the lowest average total expenditure for the entire Southwest region, encompassing Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Here is how the annual costs break down for the average Oklahoman.

That annual cost of living translates to average monthly expenses of $3,700 per person.

Housing Costs in Oklahoma

Average Housing Costs in Oklahoma: $788 to $1,479 per month

In June 2024, Zillow gave a typical home value in Oklahoma of $203,806. That’s almost half the national median sale price of $355,328 that Zillow reported for U.S. homes.

Homes in Oklahoma are cheaper than in the rest of the country, and they also fare better in terms of price appreciation. Like much of the country, Oklahoma’s average home values have been increasing since 2021.

Below are the median mortgage and rental costs for homes in Oklahoma, according to census data.

•  Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,479

•  Median studio rent: $788

•  Median one-bedroom rent: $834

•  Median two-bedroom rent: $998

•  Median three-bedroom rent: $1,202

•  Median four-bedroom rent: $1,472

•  Median five-bedroom rent: $1,446

•  Median gross rent: $1,020

Home values vary widely in Oklahoma. For example, a home in Oklahoma City can cost twice as much as one in a smaller city like Muskogee.

*data as of December 2024

Utility Costs in Oklahoma

Average Utility Costs in Oklahoma: $355 per month

Below is a snapshot of the typical monthly utility costs that Oklahoma residents can expect to pay.

Actual results will depend on what type of property you own and where it’s located.

Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Sales, Revenue, and Average Price; Statista.com, “Average monthly residential utility costs in the United States, by state”; DoxoInsights, U.S. Cable & Internet Market Size and Household Spending Report; and Rentcafe.com, What Is the Average Water Bill?

Groceries & Food

Average Grocery & Food Costs in Oklahoma: $273 per person, per month

Oklahoma actually has the lowest food and beverage costs of any state in the country, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ latest personal consumption expenditures data. Oklahomans pay an average of $273 per month, or $3,274 per year on nonrestaurant food and beverages.

Where you live affects average food costs. For example, you can buy a frozen meal at a supermarket for $4.05 in Muskogee, but that same item on average would cost you $3.15 in Ardmore.

Let’s chew on grocery costs in Oklahoma cities. The rankings are based on price data obtained from the Council for Community and Economic Research’s Cost of Living Index.

Transportation

Average Transportation Costs in Oklahoma: $10,792 to $20,082 per year

Oklahoma used to be a thruway for the famed Route 66 when it was still in service; today it remains a popular destination for road warriors from all over.

You’ll want to keep an eye on transportation costs if you’re thinking about moving to Oklahoma, especially since its auto insurance rates run high.

Transportation costs will vary depending on your commute and the size of your family. Here are costs from MIT’s Living Wage Calculator for different family sizes, based on data from February 2025.

Health Care

Average Health Care Costs in Oklahoma: $8,381 per person, per year

Oklahomans spend an average of $8,381 per year on health care, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Compared with Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, Oklahoma’s health care costs are at the top of the pack.

If you’re looking for affordable health insurance in Oklahoma, you can shop for and compare health insurance plans using the federal marketplace at HealthCare.gov.

Child Care

Average Child Care Costs in Oklahoma: $739 to $1,318 per child, per month

Child care costs take up a healthy chunk of any family’s monthly budget, and the costs can change depending on the age of a child and the setting.

Oklahoma families that need help paying for child care can apply for aid through the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. The table below shows typical monthly child care costs in Oklahoma, according to CostofChildCare.org.

Taxes

Highest Marginal Tax Rate in Oklahoma: 4.75%

Oklahoma has a progressive income tax, which adjusts your rate based on your income bracket.

The highest marginal tax rate in Oklahoma is 4.75% for both single filers who earn over $7,200 and joint filers who earn over $14,400 a year, the Tax Foundation’s State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets for 2025 notes.

When factoring in property, sales, and use taxes, Oklahoma has a below-average tax burden, with an effective state-local tax rate of 9%. It ranks 10th best on TaxFoundation.org’s rankings of local tax burdens by state; “tax burden” measures the aggregate impact of all taxes levied by state and local governments, as recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Oklahoma had a lower tax burden than nearby New Mexico and Arizona, but its southern neighbor, Texas, came out a few ranks ahead, at the 6th best with a slightly lower effective tax rate of 8.6%.

Miscellaneous Costs

Now that we’ve tackled the everyday expenses for living in Oklahoma, let’s take a look at the costs of some of the state’s greatest attractions.

•  Pay for an adult admission to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City: $20 (senior and military tickets are $17, students and kids 6-17 cost $12, and children 5 and younger get in free.)

•  Get a pair of cowboy boots at Langston’s Western Wear in Harrah: $109 to $470

•  Tickets to the Lawton Rangers Rodeo: $10 to $20 (depending on day of event and special deals)

•  Get a boot shine at Oklahoma City’s Sole Brothers Shine Parlor: $10 (basic), $12 (spit shine), muddy boots (by in-store estimate only)

•  Chicken fried steak at Clanton’s Cafe in Vinita along Route 66: $12.99 (dinner)

If you’ve always been a fan of the Lone Ranger, Will Rogers, or Ben Johnson, you can buy your very own set of cowboy boots and Stetson hat and live out your cowboy fantasies at the rodeo in Guthrie.

While wandering out yonder, you might want to stop for a plate of the official state meal: chicken fried steak, fried okra, cornbread, barbecue pork, sausage and gravy, grits, squash, corn, black-eyed peas, strawberries, and pecan pie. Oklahoma state law actually codified this combination in 1988.

How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Oklahoma?

MIT’s Living Wage Calculator lists the “living wage” for a single individual with no kids in Oklahoma as $42,141 per year, or $20.26 per hour. Obviously this figure will vary depending on personal consumption habits.

The Southwest, including Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, has some of the lowest personal consumption expenditures in the nation. Of this contingent, Oklahoma has the lowest expenditure of the bunch.

If you’re looking for an affordable state, Oklahoma might be the perfect place for you, as U.S. News & World Report’s Affordability Rankings actually ranked it the sixth-most-affordable state in the union. Thanks to its open plains and low population per square mile, Oklahoma does well on housing, grocery, and health care costs.

What City Has the Lowest Cost of Living in Oklahoma?

Data from the Council for Community and Economic Research’s 2024 Cost of Living Index helps compare expenses across major cities in Oklahoma. The two most affordable cities are below.

By Jacqueline DeMarco

(Last Updated – 04/2025)

Montana is a gorgeous state that any nature lover would appreciate calling home.

Before relocating to Big Sky Country, it’s important to have an idea of what the cost of living looks like. That way you can make sure that you can relax and enjoy the skiing, hiking, rock hounding, rafting, and hot-spring soaking the state affords.

What’s the Average Cost of Living in Montana?

Average Cost of Living in Montana: $55,264 per year

Take a good look at your monthly budget if you’re planning a move to Montana.

According to MERIC data in 2024, Montana ranks 22nd when it comes to cost of living. That means Montana is less expensive to live in than over half of the country. But living in Montana isn’t cheap, by any means.

So how much does it cost to live in Montana? Let’s look at some average expenses, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The average total personal consumption cost in Montana is $55,264 annually and breaks down to:

In terms of monthly expenses, that’s $4,605, on average.

Housing Costs in Montana

Average Housing Costs in Montana: $809 to $1,736 per month

No matter where you live, housing will be a major recurring expense. Montana has approximately 535,500 housing units, according to census data, so your housing choices may be somewhat limited.

How much should you expect to spend to put a roof over your head? In December 2024, Montana’s typical home value was $451,402, Zillow said.

How much you’ll spend on housing will depend on your specific living arrangements. Let’s look at a few options, according to the census data.

•  Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,736

•  Median studio rent: $809

•  Median one-bedroom rent: $822

•  Median two-bedroom rent: $1,105

•  Median three-bedroom rent: $1,460

•  Median four-bedroom rent: $1,443

•  Median gross rent: $1,083

Below are the typical home values for the most populous Montana cities, according to Zillow, in December 2024. These averages give you a general idea of what you should expect to spend on housing in Montana.

Utility Costs in Montana

Average Utility Costs in Montana: $302 per month

Utilities are an ongoing expense. This is what you can expect to spend on utilities each month in Montana.

Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Sales, Revenue, and Average Price; Statista.com “Average monthly residential utility costs in the United States, by state”; DoxoInsights, U.S. Cable & Internet Market Size and Household Spending Report; and Rentcafe.com, What Is the Average Water Bill?

Groceries & Food

Average Grocery & Food Costs in Montana: $413 per person, per month

Let’s take a closer look at how much the average resident might spend on food in Montana. The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that each Montanan has an average annual nonrestaurant food cost of $4,957, which comes out to about $413 each month.

Where you live in Montana may affect how much you spend on food, so take into consideration the Council for Community and Economic Research rankings for two of Montana’s major cities. These grocery costs are for 2024, ranked from lowest to highest.

Transportation

Average Transportation Costs in Montana: $10,633 to $19,785 per year

Between commuting to work and making sure the kids get to school on time, most of us spend a lot of money going to and fro. To make budgeting your transportation expenses in Montana easier, take a look at how much MIT’s Living Wage Calculator estimates you’d spend on transportation annually, based on data from 2024.

Health Care

Average Health Care Costs in Montana: $9,081 per person, per year

How much you’ll spend on health care is often affected by location. The Bureau of Economic Analysis Personal Consumption Expenditures by State report found the average annual per-person cost of health care in Montana to be $9,081.

How much you end up spending on health care may be more or less than that average, as your specific health insurance plan and medical needs influence how much you’ll pay toward health care each year.

Child Care

Average Child-Care Costs in Montana: $775 to $1,075 per child, per month

How much you’d spend on child care in Montana depends on what type of care you’re looking for. If you have an infant who requires care, you would pay more each month than you would for a toddler.

Parents who need help paying for child care can turn to the Montana Early Childhood Services Bureau, which provides resources in an attempt to improve affordability and accessibility of early care and education in Montana.

These are the average child care costs in Montana in 2021, according to costofchildcare.org.

Taxes

Highest Marginal Tax Rate in Montana: 5.9%

In Montana, like most states, residents are required to pay a state income tax. Montana has a graduated rate, which means the rate is determined by income. Residents may pay as little as 0% or as much as 5.9%, according to the Tax Foundation’s State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets for 2025.

Want to stick to the Rocky Mountain region but don’t want to be stuck with a state income tax? Wyoming doesn’t charge any state income tax at all. But note that Wyoming does have a state sales tax, which Montana does not.

Miscellaneous Costs

While essential expenses like your rent or mortgage, groceries, and utilities will take top priority in your budget, leave some room for fun. So what can you get up to in Montana?

The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates personal expenditures at $30,069 per person, per year. These popular activities can give you an idea of how much fun costs in Montana (costs are accurate as of March 2025):

•  Check out the can’t-miss views in Glacier National Park: $25 (winter) to $35 per private vehicle for a seven-day permit. For $2, purchase a Going-to-the-Sun Road timed-entry vehicle pass, which is needed for park entry between 7am and 3pm from mid-June to mid-September.

•  Snack on a fresh huckleberry pastry in Polebridge: A mile’s drive down a dirt road outside Glacier is the tiny town of Polebridge, known for its 111-year-old general purpose store and its in-house bakery. Grab a famous delicacy, the huckleberry bear claw, for $6.75.

•  Hit the slopes all season long at Big Sky Resort: $1,380 – $3,200 (price varies by age and pass privileges) for a Blue, Black, Double Black, or Gold Season Pass, which gives unlimited access to the slopes all season.

•  Soak in a thermal pool at Chico Hot Springs: Open since 1900, this hotel north of Yellowstone National Park features a historic dining room and two outdoor hot spring pools for relaxing. Guests soak for free, and visitors can grab a day pass for the pools for $14 (adults) or $8 (for kids 6 and younger, and seniors 65+).

How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Montana?

The idea of living “comfortably” is highly subjective and depends greatly on your needs, family size, and lifestyle choices.

That said, Montana does not appear to be one of the more affordable states to live in, and ranks 14th in U.S. News & World Report’s Affordability Rankings. The rankings compare the average cost of living in each state with the average amount of money most households have.

As noted, MERIC views Montana as a bit rougher on the wallet, ranking it the 22nd most affordable state.

What City Has the Lowest Cost of Living in Montana?

The Council for Community and Economic Research’s Cost of Living Index for 2024 gave detailed information on two of Montana’s cities and metro areas to dig deeper into their cost of living.