Good news for seniors planning to retire on a fixed income! You can live comfortably in 10 North Carolina cities with a monthly budget of $3,000 or less.
GOBankingRates analyzed the best North Carolina cities for retirees by reviewing Zillow’s January 2025 data for cities with monthly rents under $2,000.
They then factored in average monthly costs for housing, groceries, healthcare, and utilities (based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2023 Consumer Expenditure Survey) to find cities where retirees aged 65 and older can maintain a comfortable lifestyle on $3,000 or less.
Here are 10 North Carolina cities ranked from the highest to the lowest monthly expenses:
10. Sanford
- Average rent (Jan 2025): $1,545
- Livability score: 71
- Average monthly grocery cost: $394.11
- Average monthly healthcare cost: $679.62
- Average monthly utilities cost: $361.43
- Total monthly expenses: $2,980.58
9. Hickory
- Average rent (Jan 2025): $1,379
- Livability score: 70
- Average monthly grocery cost: $396.18
- Average monthly healthcare cost: $851.53
- Average monthly utilities cost: $348.15
- Total monthly expenses: $2,974.63
8. Fayetteville
- Average rent (Jan 2025): $1,410
- Livability score: 73
- Average monthly grocery cost: $389.55
- Average monthly healthcare cost: $767.92
- Average monthly utilities cost: $353.17
- Total monthly expenses: $2,920.65
7. Greensboro
- Average rent (Jan 2025): $1,450
- Livability score: 83
- Average monthly grocery cost: $397.01
- Average monthly healthcare cost: $622.76
- Average monthly utilities cost: $342.77
- Total monthly expenses: $2,812.96
6. Jacksonville
- Average rent (Jan 2025): $1,253
- Livability score: 72
- Average monthly grocery cost: $395.77
- Average monthly healthcare cost: $804.71
- Average monthly utilities cost: $350.66
- Total monthly expenses: $2,804.58
5. High Point
- Average rent (Jan 2025): $1,422
- Livability score: 76
- Average monthly grocery cost: $391.62
- Average monthly healthcare cost: $622.76
- Average monthly utilities cost: $354.25
- Total monthly expenses: $2,790.52
4. Rocky Mount
- Average rent (Jan 2025): $1,296
- Livability score: 71
- Average monthly grocery cost: $387.07
- Average monthly healthcare cost: $704.37
- Average monthly utilities cost: $367.53
- Total monthly expenses: $2,755.08
3. Burlington
- Average rent (Jan 2025): $1,320
- Livability score: 71
- Average monthly grocery cost: $393.70
- Average monthly healthcare cost: $670.25
- Average monthly utilities cost: $358.56
- Total monthly expenses: $2,742.22
2. Thomasville
- Average rent (Jan 2025): $1,267
- Livability score: 79
- Average monthly grocery cost: $391.21
- Average monthly healthcare cost: $663.57
- Average monthly utilities cost: $346
- Total monthly expenses: $2,667.55
1. Asheboro
- Average rent (Jan 2025): $959
- Livability score: 72
- Average monthly grocery cost: $388.72
- Average monthly healthcare cost: $634.80
- Average monthly utilities cost: $357.84
- Total monthly expenses: $2,340.53
These cities offer affordable living and a comfortable lifestyle for retirees looking to make the most of their budget.
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