North Carolina · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Northampton County, NC

Prices around Northampton County, NC run 5.7% below the U.S. average (BEA, North Carolina). The typical household there earns $50,086 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $972 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $38,880 a year.

Northampton County, NC at a glance

Median household income

$50,086$4,174 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$972HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)94.3-5.7% · BEA, North Carolina
Electricity14.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential NC
Population16,931Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Northampton 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$972Monthly market rent
Share of gross income23.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,880To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,252At 30% of $50,086
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Northampton County, NC, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$736$8,832$29,44017.6%
1-Bedroom Apartment$741$8,892$29,64017.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$972$11,664$38,88023.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,165$13,980$46,60027.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,344$16,128$53,76032.2%

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

What a typical income covers in Northampton County, NC

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $50,086 a year ($4,174 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,087/moRent ($972 2-BR), utilities (~$133/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,252/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$835/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $50,086 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.

$50,086
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$50,086
Net 82%
Fed 8%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$40,934After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,411Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,574Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,830 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,490 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,832 / yr

Living in Northampton County, NC: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Northampton County, NC is $50,086 per year (approximately $4,174 per month).

What is the average rent in Northampton County, NC?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $736 for a studio, $741 for one bedroom, $972 for two, $1,165 for three and $1,344 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 Northampton County, NC expensive to live in?

Prices there run 5.7% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for North Carolina is 94.3, 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 Northampton County, NC?

To keep a $972 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $38,880 a year, or $3,240 a month. That is 78% of what the typical household in Northampton County, NC earns.

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

On the local median income of $50,086 ($4,174 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,087 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,252 for everything else and $835 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $972 takes 47% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Northampton 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.