D
18%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
69%
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 Pinehurst North Carolina National
Cost of living11894100
Goods & Services9698100
Groceries10098100
Health care104108100
Housing16985100
Transportation9392100
Utilities9194100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Pinehurst, NC

The cost of living in Pinehurst affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Pinehurst is 118, which is 18% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Pinehurst cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 69.2% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

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

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 5 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Pinehurst. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 60% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 40% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Pinehurst Affordable?

Wondering if Pinehurst is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Pinehurst, for example, the median home price is 71.5% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 63.8% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Pinehurst boasting a median household income of $87,609, which is 58.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Pinehurst?

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Pinehurst, the utilities index stands at 8.6% lower than the national average.

Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Pinehurst, is 69.2% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Pinehurst 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 Pinehurst is 26% higher than the North Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Pinehurst is 18% higher than the national average
  • Pinehurst housing is 69% 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 Pinehurst

See all the best places to live around Pinehurst

Compare Pinehurst, 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$92,674$7,723$2,162$2,780
      Renters$62,376$5,198$1,455$1,871
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Pinehurst, NC, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Pinehurst homeowners, is $92,674. This would allow for a maximum of $2,162 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $62,376 which would result in a maximum of $1,455 to be spent on rental costs.

      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 Pinehurst National avg. Difference
      Haircut $28.20$24.2616.2%
      Beauty Salon $50.33$45.5610.5%
      Toothpaste $3.85$3.703.9%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.284.1%
      Movie $12.19$12.130.4%
      Bowling $20.00$18.0011.1%

      Groceries

      Item Pinehurst National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.28$5.847.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.36$1.5713.2%
      Milk $4.64$4.670.7%
      Potatoes $4.99$4.931.1%
      Pizza $10.73$12.0911.3%
      Beer $10.46$10.410.4%

      Health Care

      Item Pinehurst National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $126.46$125.680.6%
      Doctor $146.71$135.788.1%
      Dentist $136.77$113.2920.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.94$10.652.7%
      Lipitor $385.26$468.6017.8%

      Housing

      Item Pinehurst National avg. Difference
      Home Price $316,800.00$184,700.0071.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,475.99$2,346.695.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,554.00$949.0063.8%

      Transportation

      Item Pinehurst National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.32$3.464.1%
      Tire Balancing $42.85$59.9228.5%

      Utilities

      Item Pinehurst National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $161.71$193.9916.6%
      Phone $186.82$192.252.8%
      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.
      Hoffman, NC7788119.2%
      Norman, NC1978416.3%
      Candor, NC1,1738415.7%
      Ashley Heights, NC3268713.5%
      Silver City, NC1,0928911.5%
      Pinehurst, NC16,38211818.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Donna, TX16,3817624.4%
      Fort Hunt, VA16,38318887.7%
      Severn, ON16,377n/a 
      Gainesville, VA16,39115251.8%
      Storrs, CT16,39211615.6%
      Pinehurst, NC16,38211818.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.