North Carolina · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Wilson County, NC

The median household in Wilson County, NC earns $56,423 a year ($4,702/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,025/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $41,000 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 5.7% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$56,423$4,702 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,025HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)94.3-5.7% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.7¢per kWh · EIA Residential NC
Census Population79,290Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Wilson County, NC

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,025Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$41,000To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,411At 30% of $56,423
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Wilson County, NC

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Wilson County, NC. 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 Wilson County, NC
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$789$9,468$31,56016.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$794$9,528$31,76016.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,025$12,300$41,00021.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,307$15,684$52,28027.8%
4-Bedroom Home$1,541$18,492$61,64032.8%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Wilson County, NC →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Wilson County, NC

Based on the local median household income of $56,423/year ($4,702/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,351/moRent ($1,025 2-BR), utilities (~$133/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,411/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 94.3 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$940/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.

$56,423
$20,000$115,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$56,423
Net 81%
Fed 8%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$45,773After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,814Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,761Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,591 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,743 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,316 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Wilson County, NC

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Wilson County, NC is $56,423 per year (approximately $4,702 per month).

What is the average rent in Wilson County, NC?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Wilson County, NC are $789 for a studio, $794 for 1 bedroom, $1,025 for 2 bedrooms, $1,307 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,541 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Wilson County, NC is 94.3 (5.7% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,025/month) in Wilson County, NC requires a minimum gross household income of $41,000 per year ($3,417 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $56,423/year ($4,702/month) in Wilson County, NC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,351/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,411/month to discretionary spending, and $940/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Wilson County, 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.