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California vs North Carolina: prices, pay and taxes
| California | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 110.7 | 94.3 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $80,690 | $64,290 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $72,878 | $68,157 |
| Take-home on $100,000* | $73,972 | $75,699 |
| Median household income | $96,334 | $69,904 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Population | 39,242,785 | 10,584,340 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA, 2026 rules, no city or county taxes.
Compare with another state or city
Cost of living in California cities
| City | Price parity | Average salary | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 113.6 | $77,270 | $968,608 |
| San Francisco | 115.6 | $100,220 | $1,149,215 |
| Riverside | 106.4 | $65,160 | $585,378 |
| San Diego | 111.9 | $79,060 | $946,365 |
| Sacramento | 106.7 | $77,150 | $582,707 |
| San Jose | 110.4 | $119,230 | $1,610,466 |
Cost of living in North Carolina cities
| City | Price parity | Average salary | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 97.3 | $68,900 | $390,321 |
| Raleigh | 98.2 | $70,740 | $438,364 |
| Greensboro | 92.9 | $59,180 | $266,370 |
| Winston-Salem | 92.0 | $59,130 | $283,871 |
| Durham | 97.6 | $79,700 | $414,340 |
| Wilmington | 96.4 | $58,480 | $446,210 |
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Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. State average: all occupations, employment-weighted over the state's metro and nonmetro areas.
- Taxes: single filer with the standard deduction; federal income tax with 2026 brackets (IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500 and Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000), and each state's 2026 rules as published by its revenue department.
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