A+
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
15%
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 Lincolnton North Carolina National
Cost of living9594100
Goods & Services10398100
Groceries10098100
Health care111108100
Housing8585100
Transportation9492100
Utilities8994100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Lincolnton, NC

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Lincolnton 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 Lincolnton is 95, which is 5% 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.

The cost of living in Lincolnton is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services 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.

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

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 6 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Lincolnton and this is how they responded. 100% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 0% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Lincolnton Affordable?

Is Lincolnton 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 Lincolnton, the median home price is 12.2% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 20.7% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Lincolnton come in at $35,696, which is 35.5% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Lincolnton?

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Lincolnton, healthcare costs are 10.6% higher 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 Lincolnton, the transportation index is 6.4% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Lincolnton cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Lincolnton is 2% higher than the North Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Lincolnton is 5% lower than the national average
  • Lincolnton housing is 15% lower 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 Lincolnton

See all the best places to live around Lincolnton

Compare Lincolnton, 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$52,908$4,409$1,234$1,587
      Renters$27,444$2,287$640$823
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Lincolnton, 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 Lincolnton, homeowners have a median income of $52,908. Using that number, a maximum of $1,234 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $27,444, which means there is a maximum of $640 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 Lincolnton National avg. Difference
      Haircut $18.25$24.2624.8%
      Beauty Salon $59.75$45.5631.1%
      Toothpaste $3.81$3.702.8%
      Shampoo $1.27$1.280.7%
      Movie $13.55$12.1311.7%
      Bowling $21.67$18.0020.4%

      Groceries

      Item Lincolnton National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.27$5.847.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.5%
      Milk $4.61$4.671.2%
      Potatoes $4.98$4.931.0%
      Pizza $10.96$12.099.3%
      Beer $10.47$10.410.5%

      Health Care

      Item Lincolnton National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $143.74$125.6814.4%
      Doctor $148.29$135.789.2%
      Dentist $115.52$113.292.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.77$10.651.1%
      Lipitor $467.34$468.600.3%

      Housing

      Item Lincolnton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $162,200.00$184,700.0012.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,159.30$2,346.6934.6%
      Apartment Rent $753.00$949.0020.7%

      Transportation

      Item Lincolnton National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.29$3.464.9%
      Tire Balancing $53.32$59.9211.0%

      Utilities

      Item Lincolnton National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $167.89$193.9913.5%
      Phone $189.90$192.251.2%
      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.
      Spencer Mountain, NC0990.6%
      Dellview, NC25990.6%
      Light Oak, NC8737921.3%
      Fallston, NC7768514.8%
      Waco, NC2928613.9%
      Lincolnton, NC11,099954.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Westwood, NJ11,09615352.7%
      South Huron, ON11,104n/a 
      Grosse Pointe Park, MI11,10812423.6%
      Town and Country, MO11,10916362.6%
      Yellowhead County, AB11,111n/a 
      Lincolnton, NC11,099954.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.