A+
9%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
23%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Goldsboro North Carolina National
Cost of living9196100
Goods & Services98101100
Groceries101100100
Health care116110100
Housing7788100
Transportation8994100
Utilities8994100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Goldsboro, NC

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Goldsboro is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Goldsboro is 91, which is 9% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Goldsboro are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Goldsboro 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 Goldsboro?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 12 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Goldsboro. The results indicated that 25% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 75% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Goldsboro Affordable?

Wondering if Goldsboro 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 Goldsboro, for example, the median home price is 26.1% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 16.4% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Goldsboro boasting a median household income of $55,222, which is 32.1% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Goldsboro?

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 Goldsboro, the utilities index stands at 10.7% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Goldsboro, the groceries index registers 0.6% higher than the national average.

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Goldsboro, the housing index stands at 23.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Goldsboro displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Goldsboro is 5% lower than the North Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Goldsboro is 9% lower than the national average
  • Goldsboro housing is 23% lower than the national average
  • North Carolina general sales tax is 7% lower than the national average
  • North Carolina state income tax is 83% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Goldsboro

See all the best places to live around Goldsboro

Compare Goldsboro, 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$77,393$6,449$1,806$2,322
      Renters$40,714$3,393$950$1,222
      The affordability of the housing market in Goldsboro, NC as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Goldsboro homeowners, the median income is $77,393. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,806 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $40,714. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $950 for their rent related monthly 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 4.75% 4.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Goldsboro National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.19$27.629.3%
      Beauty Salon $55.76$51.119.1%
      Toothpaste $4.02$4.091.8%
      Shampoo $1.72$1.5411.5%
      Movie $14.42$12.8812.0%
      Yoga $23.33$19.6618.7%

      Groceries

      Item Goldsboro National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.67$7.700.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.56$1.666.2%
      Milk $4.68$4.731.1%
      Potatoes $5.56$5.265.8%
      Pizza $11.30$12.7611.5%
      Beer $10.48$10.550.7%

      Health Care

      Item Goldsboro National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $112.25$140.0619.9%
      Doctor $146.67$153.824.6%
      Dentist $158.67$123.1528.8%
      Ibuprofen $12.16$11.733.6%
      Lipitor $29.82$23.6126.3%

      Housing

      Item Goldsboro National avg. Difference
      Home Price $241,359.00$326,622.0026.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,135.84$2,480.2513.9%
      Apartment Rent $1,207.00$1,444.0016.4%

      Transportation

      Item Goldsboro National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.90$3.065.2%
      Tire Balancing $48.20$65.2126.1%

      Utilities

      Item Goldsboro National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $185.97$220.1215.5%
      Phone $190.84$195.712.5%
      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.
      Brogden, NC2,3648416.2%
      Fremont, NC1,0178415.6%
      Eureka, NC2218514.8%
      Mount Olive, NC4,7968613.7%
      La Grange, NC2,7498613.6%
      Goldsboro, NC35,716919.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Englewood, CO35,72412828.0%
      Goshen, IN35,691927.7%
      Redan, GA35,746964.4%
      Parkland County, AB35,675n/a 
      Brunswick, OH35,761972.5%
      Goldsboro, NC35,716919.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.