Cost Of Living in Ruth, NC

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12%

Overall NAT. AVG.

3%

Groceries NAT. AVG.

36%

Housing NAT. AVG.

Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.

The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index	Ruth	North Carolina	National
Cost of living	88	96	100
Groceries	97	100	100
Health care	98	99	100
Housing	64	88	100
Transportation	96	99	100
Utilities	101	99	100
Lifestyle & Entertainment	96	100	100
Household Items	98	100	100
Education & Childcare	98	100	100

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Homes For Sale In Ruth, NC

74 US-64

Rutherfordton, NC

231 Sherry St

Rutherfordton, NC

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

The cost of living in Ruth is 9% lower than the North Carolina average
The cost of living in Ruth is 12% lower than the national average
Ruth housing is 36% 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

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Price difference in compared to

Cost of living index
Groceries index
Health care index
Housing index
Transportation index
Utilities index
Lifestyle index
Household index
Educare index

Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

Median Income	Per Year	Per Month	Max Budget (28% DTI)	Max Budget (36% DTI)
Owners	$58,571	$4,881	$1,367	$1,757
Renters	$0	$0	$0	$0

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%

Nearby cities with low cost of living

City	Population	Cost of Living Index	National Avg.
Henrietta, NC	465	98	2.4%
Caroleen, NC	459	98	2.4%
Cliffside, NC	727	98	2.4%
Spindale, NC	4,286	84	16.4%
Ellenboro, NC	814	84	15.5%
Ruth, NC	651	88	12.4%

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Cost of Living Index	National Avg.
Dalzell, IL	651	93	7.4%
Schram City, IL	651	83	17.1%
Clearbrook, MN	651	85	14.9%
Glenville, MN	651	87	13.2%
Pink Hill, NC	651	81	19.0%
Ruth, NC	651	88	12.4%