| Index | Graham | North Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 93 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 81 | 88 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 98 | 100 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Graham 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 Graham stands at 93, marking it 7% lower than the national average.
The cost of living in Graham aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Graham residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
Is Graham an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Graham, the median home price is 18.8% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 19.4% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Graham come in at $61,701, which is 24.1% lower than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Graham, the housing index is 19% 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 Graham, the groceries index registers 3.3% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
The cost of living data for Graham shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $85,142 | $7,095 | $1,987 | $2,555 |
| Renters | $42,461 | $3,538 | $991 | $1,274 |
| 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. |
| Altamahaw, NC | 383 | 82 | 18.1% |
| Haw River, NC | 2,554 | 85 | 14.8% |
| Ossipee, NC | 524 | 86 | 13.8% |
| Green Level, NC | 2,613 | 86 | 13.6% |
| Liberty, NC | 2,754 | 88 | 11.9% |
| Graham, NC | 15,581 | 93 | 7.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| St. Augustine, FL | 15,581 | 116 | 16.5% |
| Elk Plain, WA | 15,587 | 122 | 22.1% |
| Hartford, WI | 15,591 | 99 | 0.6% |
| Greenwood Village, CO | 15,570 | 199 | 99.0% |
| Newton, IA | 15,563 | 88 | 11.6% |
| Graham, NC | 15,581 | 93 | 7.0% |
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