A+
12%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
29%
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 Spencer North Carolina National
Cost of living8894100
Goods & Services9198100
Groceries9798100
Health care95108100
Housing7185100
Transportation10192100
Utilities10194100
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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Spencer is 6% lower than the North Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Spencer is 12% lower than the national average
  • Spencer housing is 29% 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 Spencer

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Compare Spencer, 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$60,667$5,056$1,415$1,820
      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 4.99% 4.99%

      Goods & Services

      Item Spencer National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.02$24.2623.7%
      Beauty Salon $39.60$45.5613.1%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.3%
      Shampoo $1.34$1.284.6%
      Movie $13.67$12.1312.6%
      Bowling $18.63$18.003.5%

      Groceries

      Item Spencer National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.12$5.844.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.55$1.571.5%
      Milk $4.66$4.670.3%
      Potatoes $5.30$4.937.3%
      Pizza $11.64$12.093.7%
      Beer $10.31$10.410.9%

      Health Care

      Item Spencer National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $131.75$125.684.8%
      Doctor $157.27$135.7815.8%
      Dentist $130.26$113.2915.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.78$10.651.2%
      Lipitor $483.22$468.603.1%

      Housing

      Item Spencer National avg. Difference
      Home Price $112,300.00$184,700.0039.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,004.78$2,346.6914.6%
      Apartment Rent $889.00$949.006.3%

      Transportation

      Item Spencer National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.19$3.467.7%
      Tire Balancing $57.92$59.923.3%

      Utilities

      Item Spencer National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $160.96$193.9917.0%
      Phone $187.97$192.252.2%
      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.
      East Spencer, NC1,3828019.7%
      Lexington, NC18,9708514.9%
      Cooleemee, NC1,0288613.7%
      Southmont, NC1,1658713.1%
      Enochville, NC3,3588712.5%
      Spencer, NC3,2278812.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rural Hall, NC3,227955.4%
      North Lakeville, MA3,22613131.1%
      Monmouth Beach, NJ3,22619797.4%
      Big Lake, TX3,2269010.3%
      Division No. 19, Unorganized, MB3,226n/a 
      Spencer, NC3,2278812.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.