Moving from California to North Carolina
Here's how home prices, taxes and weather change — and what it means for your day-to-day.
- Median home value$759,500$333,000
Home values are about 56% lower in North Carolina.
- Monthly owner cost (with mortgage)$3,001$1,747
Monthly owner costs are about 42% lower in North Carolina.
- Median rent$2,104$1,338
Rent is about 36% lower in North Carolina.
- State income tax (top rate)13.3%4.25% flat
North Carolina's top rate is 9.05% points lower than yours.
- Property tax (effective rate)0.71%0.7%
Property tax rates are lower in North Carolina (0.7% vs 0.71%).
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)8.8%7%
Sales tax is lower in North Carolina.
- Average January temperature44.9°F40.8°F
About 4.1°F cooler on average in North Carolina.
- Average July temperature76.2°F77.9°F
About 1.7°F warmer on average in North Carolina.
What changes for you
- Your housing budget likely goes further — the typical North Carolina home is valued about 56% below California's.
- Your top income tax rate drops from 13.3% to North Carolina's 4.25% flat rate.
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Sources: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year (tables B25077, B25088, B25064, B01003); Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates, as of March 15, 2025; Tax Foundation, Property Taxes Paid as a Percentage of Owner-Occupied Housing Value, 2023; Tax Foundation, State & Local Sales Tax Rates, as of January 1, 2025; NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance, statewide average temperature, 1991–2020. Statewide figures — costs vary a lot by town, so ask us for the area you're considering.