A
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
10%
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 Clayton North Carolina National
Cost of living10294100
Goods & Services9998100
Groceries9898100
Health care112108100
Housing11085100
Transportation9392100
Utilities9894100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Clayton, NC

Knowing the cost of living in Clayton allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Clayton stands at 102, marking it 2% higher than the national average.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Clayton are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Clayton can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

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

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 20 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Clayton. The results indicated that 50% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 50% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Clayton Affordable?

Is Clayton affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Clayton, the median home price is 8.7% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 11.7% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Clayton boasting a median household income of $61,954, 12% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Clayton?

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Clayton, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 4.75%, and income tax rates kick off at 4.99%.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Clayton, the groceries index is 1.6% lower than the national average.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Clayton, the transportation index stands at 6.9% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Clayton cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors 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 Clayton is 9% higher than the North Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Clayton is 2% higher than the national average
  • Clayton housing is 10% higher than the national average
  • North Carolina general sales tax is 7% lower than the national average
  • North Carolina state income tax is 121% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Clayton

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Compare Clayton, 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$67,926$5,661$1,585$2,038
      Renters$41,673$3,473$972$1,250
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Clayton, 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 Clayton, homeowners have a median income of $67,926. Using that number, a maximum of $1,585 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $41,673, which means there is a maximum of $972 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 4.99% 4.99%

      Goods & Services

      Item Clayton National avg. Difference
      Haircut $19.00$24.2621.7%
      Beauty Salon $29.58$45.5635.1%
      Toothpaste $3.65$3.701.4%
      Shampoo $1.09$1.2815.1%
      Movie $10.27$12.1315.3%
      Bowling $11.00$18.0038.9%

      Groceries

      Item Clayton National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.93$5.841.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.59$1.570.9%
      Milk $4.57$4.672.1%
      Potatoes $5.18$4.934.9%
      Pizza $10.47$12.0913.4%
      Beer $10.29$10.411.1%

      Health Care

      Item Clayton National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $141.56$125.6812.6%
      Doctor $136.38$135.780.4%
      Dentist $100.17$113.2911.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.24$10.653.9%
      Lipitor $429.52$468.608.3%

      Housing

      Item Clayton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $200,700.00$184,700.008.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,813.02$2,346.6922.7%
      Apartment Rent $1,060.00$949.0011.7%

      Transportation

      Item Clayton National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.45$3.460.5%
      Tire Balancing $63.55$59.926.1%

      Utilities

      Item Clayton National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $201.14$193.993.7%
      Phone $187.32$192.252.6%
      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.
      Selma, NC6,9508811.8%
      Middlesex, NC1,0879010.3%
      Micro, NC6889010.2%
      Pine Level, NC2,188909.8%
      Smithfield, NC12,697918.5%
      Clayton, NC23,1791021.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Bluffton, SC23,17612121.3%
      Oxford, OH23,192955.5%
      Blue Island, IL23,160964.4%
      Copiague, NY23,20013332.8%
      Simpsonville, SC23,2001000.5%
      Clayton, NC23,1791021.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.