| Index | Albemarle | North Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 91 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 74 | 88 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 94 | 100 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Albemarle 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 Albemarle stands at 91, marking it 9% lower than the national average.
The cost of living in Albemarle is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
Is Albemarle an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Albemarle is 29.2% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 18.2% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Albemarle has a median household income of $65,149, which is 19.9% lower than the national average.
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 Albemarle, the utilities index stands at 1.6% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Albemarle, the groceries index is 2.3% lower than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Albemarle, the transportation index is 3.2% lower than the national average.
The Albemarle cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $99,945 | $8,329 | $2,332 | $2,999 |
| Renters | $31,957 | $2,663 | $746 | $959 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | 7.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | 4.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Aquadale, NC | 428 | 84 | 15.7% |
| Badin, NC | 2,043 | 85 | 14.6% |
| Millingport, NC | 460 | 86 | 13.6% |
| Misenheimer, NC | 718 | 87 | 13.0% |
| Norwood, NC | 2,901 | 90 | 10.2% |
| Albemarle, NC | 16,433 | 91 | 9.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Sayville, NY | 16,433 | 148 | 48.0% |
| Prospect Heights, IL | 16,432 | 115 | 14.7% |
| Cherryland, CA | 16,430 | 160 | 60.4% |
| Crawfordsville, IN | 16,427 | 85 | 14.8% |
| Walnut Park, CA | 16,426 | 143 | 43.2% |
| Albemarle, NC | 16,433 | 91 | 9.4% |
Here are the best places to live in North Carolina
Check out the 10 safest cities in North Carolina
Most Dangerous Cities In The US
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in North Carolina