North Carolina · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Goldsboro, NC

The median household in Goldsboro, NC earns $48,540 a year ($4,045/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,244/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $49,760 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 11.5% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$48,540$4,045 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,244HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)88.5-11.5% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential NC
Census Population34,383Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Goldsboro, NC

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,244Monthly market rent
Share of gross income30.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$49,760To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,214At 30% of $48,540
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Goldsboro, NC

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Goldsboro, NC MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Goldsboro, NC
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$942$11,304$37,68023.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$948$11,376$37,92023.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,244$14,928$49,76030.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,496$17,952$59,84037%
4-Bedroom Home$2,021$24,252$80,84050%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Goldsboro, NC →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Goldsboro, NC

Based on the local median household income of $48,540/year ($4,045/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,023/moRent ($1,244 2-BR), utilities (~$133/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,214/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 88.5 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$809/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in North Carolina

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and North Carolina state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$48,540
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$48,540
Net 82%
Fed 8%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,754After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,313Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,529Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,645 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,428 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,713 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across North Carolina with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Goldsboro, NC

What is the median household income in Goldsboro, NC?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Goldsboro, NC is $48,540 per year (approximately $4,045 per month).

What is the average rent in Goldsboro, NC?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Goldsboro, NC are $942 for a studio, $948 for 1 bedroom, $1,244 for 2 bedrooms, $1,496 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,021 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Goldsboro, NC compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Goldsboro, NC is 88.5 (11.5% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,244/month) in Goldsboro, NC requires a minimum gross household income of $49,760 per year ($4,147 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Goldsboro, NC?

For a typical household earning the median income of $48,540/year ($4,045/month) in Goldsboro, NC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,023/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,214/month to discretionary spending, and $809/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Goldsboro, NC?

Residential electricity rates in North Carolina average 14.7¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $133 per month.