North Carolina · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Davidson County, NC

Prices around Davidson County, NC run 8% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $64,172 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $960 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $38,400 a year.

Davidson County, NC at a glance

Median household income

$64,172$5,348 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$960HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)92.0-8% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity14.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential NC
Population172,954Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Davidson County, NC?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$960Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,400To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,604At 30% of $64,172
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Davidson County, NC? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Davidson County, NC HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Davidson County, NC, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$816$9,792$32,64015.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$876$10,512$35,04016.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$960$11,520$38,40018%
3-Bedroom Home$1,316$15,792$52,64024.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,591$19,092$63,64029.8%

Rent in Davidson County, NC, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Davidson County, NC

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $64,172 a year ($5,348 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,674/moRent ($960 2-BR), utilities (~$133/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,604/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,070/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $64,172 leaves after North Carolina taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and North Carolina tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$64,172
$25,000$130,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$64,172
Net 81%
Fed 9%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$51,690After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,308Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,988Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,521 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$2,052 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,909 / yr

Living in Davidson County, NC: common questions

What is the median household income in Davidson County, NC?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Davidson County, NC is $64,172 per year (approximately $5,348 per month).

What is the average rent in Davidson County, NC?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $816 for a studio, $876 for one bedroom, $960 for two, $1,316 for three and $1,591 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Davidson County, NC expensive to live in?

Prices there run 8% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 92.0, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Davidson County, NC?

To keep a $960 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $38,400 a year, or $3,200 a month. That is 60% of what the typical household in Davidson County, NC earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Davidson County, NC?

On the local median income of $64,172 ($5,348 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,674 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,604 for everything else and $1,070 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $960 takes 36% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Davidson County, NC?

Homes in North Carolina paid 14.7¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $133. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.