Virginia vs North Carolina
On a $100,000 income and each state’s median home, North Carolina costs about $2,792 less per year in state income and property tax combined.
Where the gap is widest
The largest difference between Virginia and North Carolina is minimum wage ($12.77 vs $7.25).
- Minimum wage: North Carolina is lower ($12.77 vs $7.25)
- Property tax on median home: North Carolina is lower ($3,276 vs $2,244)
- Top income tax rate: North Carolina is lower (5.75% vs 3.99%)
- Income tax on $100k: North Carolina is lower ($5,750 vs $3,990)
- Median household income: North Carolina is lower ($92,090 vs $73,958)
Side by side
| Measure | Virginia | North Carolina | Which is higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | $12.77 | $7.25 | VA higher |
| Property tax on median home | $3,276 | $2,244 | VA higher |
| Top income tax rate | 5.75% | 3.99% | VA higher |
| Income tax on $100k | $5,750 | $3,990 | VA higher |
| Median household income | $92,090 | $73,958 | VA higher |
| Median home price | $420,000 | $340,000 | VA higher |
| Median 2BR rent | $1,735 | $1,410 | VA higher |
| Max weekly unemployment | $430 | $350 | VA higher |
| Avg home insurance | $1,537 | $1,852 | NC higher |
| Effective property tax | 0.78% | 0.66% | VA higher |
| State sales tax | 5.30% | 4.75% | VA higher |
| Cost of living index | 99.1 | 96.6 | VA higher |
State income tax by income level
| Income | Virginia | North Carolina | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,725 | $1,197 | +$528 |
| $40,000 | $2,300 | $1,596 | +$704 |
| $50,000 | $2,875 | $1,995 | +$880 |
| $60,000 | $3,450 | $2,394 | +$1,056 |
| $75,000 | $4,313 | $2,993 | +$1,320 |
| $90,000 | $5,175 | $3,591 | +$1,584 |
| $100,000 | $5,750 | $3,990 | +$1,760 |
| $125,000 | $7,188 | $4,988 | +$2,200 |
| $150,000 | $8,625 | $5,985 | +$2,640 |
| $175,000 | $10,063 | $6,983 | +$3,080 |
| $200,000 | $11,500 | $7,980 | +$3,520 |
| $250,000 | $14,375 | $9,975 | +$4,400 |
| $300,000 | $17,250 | $11,970 | +$5,280 |
| $400,000 | $23,000 | $15,960 | +$7,040 |
| $500,000 | $28,750 | $19,950 | +$8,800 |
Property tax by home value
| Home value | Virginia | North Carolina | Annual gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $1,170 | $990 | $180 |
| $200,000 | $1,560 | $1,320 | $240 |
| $250,000 | $1,950 | $1,650 | $300 |
| $300,000 | $2,340 | $1,980 | $360 |
| $400,000 | $3,120 | $2,640 | $480 |
| $500,000 | $3,900 | $3,300 | $600 |
| $600,000 | $4,680 | $3,960 | $720 |
| $750,000 | $5,850 | $4,950 | $900 |
| $900,000 | $7,020 | $5,940 | $1,080 |
| $1,200,000 | $9,360 | $7,920 | $1,440 |
Cumulative difference over time
| Period | Total difference | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $2,792 | North Carolina ahead |
| 2 years | $5,584 | North Carolina ahead |
| 3 years | $8,376 | North Carolina ahead |
| 5 years | $13,960 | North Carolina ahead |
| 10 years | $27,920 | North Carolina ahead |
Income tax figures apply each state’s top marginal rate as a simplification and exclude federal tax, local surtaxes and deductions. Property tax uses each state’s effective rate on its own median home. Sources.
Last reviewed 2026-08-26.