| Index | Salisbury | North Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 80 | 88 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Salisbury 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 Salisbury stands at 94, marking it 6% lower than the national average.
In Salisbury, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Salisbury will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 23 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Salisbury. The feedback revealed that 61% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 39% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Salisbury affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Salisbury, the median home price is 21.9% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 15.1% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Salisbury boasting a median household income of $65,895, 19% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Salisbury, the transportation index is 1.4% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from 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 crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Salisbury, the standard sales tax rate starts at 4.75%, and the income tax rates commence at 4.75%.
The Salisbury cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $95,043 | $7,920 | $2,218 | $2,852 |
| Renters | $46,535 | $3,878 | $1,086 | $1,396 |
| 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. |
| East Spencer, NC | 1,429 | 83 | 16.6% |
| Misenheimer, NC | 718 | 87 | 13.0% |
| Lexington, NC | 19,386 | 89 | 11.3% |
| Cooleemee, NC | 1,069 | 90 | 10.3% |
| Enochville, NC | 3,435 | 91 | 9.3% |
| Salisbury, NC | 35,060 | 94 | 6.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Adelanto, CA | 35,081 | 116 | 15.8% |
| Ken Caryl, CO | 35,038 | 137 | 36.8% |
| Wenatchee, WA | 35,091 | 117 | 16.5% |
| Sun Prairie, WI | 35,107 | 110 | 9.5% |
| Newark, DE | 35,117 | 115 | 14.5% |
| Salisbury, NC | 35,060 | 94 | 6.0% |
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