Cost of Living in Elizabeth City, NC

With a cost of living index of 84, Elizabeth City, NC is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 16% cheaper than the national average and in line with the North Carolina state average. Elizabeth City is a smaller community of 18,740 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Elizabeth City's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,111 (16% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $202,100 (34% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 4x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in Elizabeth City is $50,947, which is 32% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 26% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Everyday prices in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area are generally below the national average. Out of 6 common items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced lower than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.