Research / Most affordable ZIP codes
Most affordable ZIP codes in North Carolina
Ranked by the SkaldMaps Cost of Living Index, lowest first. 100 is about the national level; lower values indicate lower estimated costs.
How we rank lowest cost of living
The Cost of Living Index combines the local cost of everyday goods and services with the estimated cost of owning a typical listed home, including mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. These measures are combined and compared with a national baseline.
100 is about the national level. Below 100, a homebuyer's money goes further; above 100, it goes less far.
It reflects homes for sale today, not what current owners pay, so it needs listing data: ZIPs without enough listings are not ranked. It does not include income, so a low index does not mean local wages cover local costs.
Only ZIPs with at least 1,000 residents are ranked, so a handful of households cannot top the list. 592 North Carolina ZIPs qualify.
North Carolina ZIP codes ranked by lowest cost of living
1ZIP 28526Dover
North Carolina
- Cost of living index
- 64.0
- ZIP population
- ~2k
- Avg. temperature
- 62°F
- Avg. commute
- 35 min
2ZIP 27831Garysburg
North Carolina
- Cost of living index
- 67.3
- ZIP population
- ~2k
- Avg. temperature
- 60°F
- Avg. commute
- 22 min
3ZIP 27876Jackson
North Carolina
- Cost of living index
- 69.3
- ZIP population
- ~1k
- Avg. temperature
- 59°F
- Avg. commute
- 28 min
4ZIP 28573Pollocksville
North Carolina
- Cost of living index
- 69.8
- ZIP population
- ~2k
- Avg. temperature
- 63°F
- Avg. commute
- 27 min
5ZIP 28383Rowland
North Carolina
- Cost of living index
- 70.3
- ZIP population
- ~7k
- Avg. temperature
- 63°F
- Avg. commute
- 27 min
6ZIP 27801Rocky Mount
North Carolina
- Cost of living index
- 70.6
- ZIP population
- ~20k
- Avg. temperature
- 61°F
- Avg. commute
- 21 min
| Rank | ZIP | City | County | Cost of living index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #7 | 27845 | Jackson | Northampton County | 72.5 |
| #8 | 27869 | Rich Square | Northampton County | 73.5 |
| #9 | 27871 | Robersonville | Martin County | 73.5 |
| #10 | 27891 | Whitakers | Nash County | 73.6 |
| #11 | 28333 | Dudley | Wayne County | 73.7 |
| #12 | 27874 | Scotland Neck | Halifax County | 74.5 |
| #13 | 27260 | High Point | Guilford County | 75.1 |
| #14 | 27886 | Tarboro | Edgecombe County | 75.1 |
| #15 | 28501 | Kinston | Lenoir County | 75.1 |
| #16 | 27892 | Williamston | Martin County | 75.2 |
| #17 | 28301 | Fayetteville | Cumberland County | 75.6 |
| #18 | 27823 | Enfield | Halifax County | 75.8 |
| #19 | 27864 | Pinetops | Edgecombe County | 75.9 |
| #20 | 28377 | Red Springs | Robeson County | 75.9 |
| #21 | 27839 | Halifax | Halifax County | 76.0 |
| #22 | 27883 | Stantonsburg | Wilson County | 76.1 |
| #23 | 28649 | Mc Grady | Wilkes County | 76.1 |
| #24 | 28119 | Morven | Anson County | 76.2 |
| #25 | 28364 | Maxton | Robeson County | 76.3 |
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More North Carolina research
Best ZIP codes for schools
Ranked by school quality index
- North Carolina median ZIP
- 51.8
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 39.2 to 60.2
ZIP codes with the shortest commutes
Ranked by mean commute
- North Carolina median ZIP
- 26.1 min
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 20.8 min to 33.7 min
Best healthcare access
Ranked by healthcare access score
- North Carolina median ZIP
- 91.9
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 85.6 to 97.9
Best broadband coverage
Ranked by households with broadband
- North Carolina median ZIP
- 88.0%
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 77.7% to 95.6%
Warmest ZIP codes
Ranked by avg. temperature
- North Carolina median ZIP
- 60.5°F
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 56.4°F to 62.8°F