| Index | New Bern | North Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 89 | 88 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 94 | 100 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in New Bern? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in New Bern stands at 95, making it 5% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in New Bern 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.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 7 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in New Bern and this is how they responded. 57% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 43% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is New Bern 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 New Bern, the median home price is 12.5% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 8.9% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in New Bern come in at $64,202, which is 21.1% 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 New Bern, is 11.4% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
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 New Bern, the groceries index is 0.7% lower than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for New Bern are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $100,364 | $8,364 | $2,342 | $3,011 |
| Renters | $44,720 | $3,727 | $1,043 | $1,342 |
| 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. |
| Alliance, NC | 1,140 | 83 | 17.3% |
| Vanceboro, NC | 1,095 | 84 | 15.7% |
| Cove City, NC | 623 | 85 | 14.7% |
| Grantsboro, NC | 605 | 87 | 13.0% |
| Pollocksville, NC | 293 | 88 | 12.1% |
| New Bern, NC | 30,984 | 95 | 4.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Chambly, QC | 30,986 | n/a | |
| Atwater, CA | 30,996 | 119 | 19.4% |
| North Tonawanda, NY | 31,006 | 99 | 0.8% |
| Newington, CT | 31,008 | 112 | 12.3% |
| Fitchburg, WI | 30,947 | 115 | 15.3% |
| New Bern, NC | 30,984 | 95 | 4.6% |
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