Compare states / Virginia → North Carolina
VA → NC
Compare Virginia and North Carolina
Virginia’s top income-tax rate of 5.75% is 1.76 points above North Carolina’s 3.99%; at $120,000 of single-filer income the bracket estimate is $6,642 a year versus $4,788. The median home in Virginia is valued at $416,963, about 23% more than North Carolina’s $339,594. North Carolina has the higher average combined sales tax (7.00% vs 5.77%), while effective property-tax rates are close at 0.78% and 0.66%. Reported violent crime runs 376 per 100,000 residents in North Carolina and 218 in Virginia (FBI, 2024).
Moving the other way (North Carolina to Virginia)? The same numbers apply—swap the columns.
Deadlines and checklists on this page are for arriving in North Carolina; for Virginia, see the Virginia page.
Data: Virginia (tax.virginia.gov, dmv.virginia.gov); North Carolina (ncdor.gov, ncdot.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
| Virginia | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 5.75% | 3.99% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 5.77% | 7.00% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.78% | 0.66% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Yes — 3.97% effective | Yes — 1.10% effective |
| Social Security tax | No | No |
| Estate tax | No | No |
| Inheritance tax | No | No |
| Minimum wage | $12.77 | $7.25 |
| Median home value | $416,963 | $339,594 |
| Tax when you title a car | 5.30% | 3.00% |
| State parks | 44 | 35 |
| National parks | 1 | 1 |
| Population density | 226.0/sq mi | 233.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 217.9 | 375.8 |
| Demographics | 59.1% White (non-Hispanic) 10.5% Hispanic 20.7% Black 7.1% Asian | 60.7% White (non-Hispanic) 10.5% Hispanic 21.6% Black 3.3% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 60 | 60 |
| Days to title a car | 30 | 60 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Virginia to North Carolina?
Virginia: Top listed rate 5.75%. North Carolina: Flat 3.99%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $6,642 in Virginia vs $4,788 in North Carolina. If you earned in both states this year, see VA tax agency and NC tax agency.
Estimate your state income tax in Virginia and North Carolina
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 5.75% vs 3.99%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in North Carolina
New residents of North Carolina typically have 60 days to title and register. Inspection: Safety + emissions in some counties. The title-tax rate used here is 3.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $944.75 (tax $840.00 + title $56.00 + registration $38.75 + plate $10.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in North Carolina
Title fee + plate + base registration + 3.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in North Carolina
After you become a North Carolina resident, you typically have 60 days to get a North Carolina driver license. Bring your Virginia license, Social Security number, and proof you live in North Carolina. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official North Carolina DMV. Virginia plates are not a substitute for North Carolina registration once the title clock runs out.
New-resident checklist: Virginia to North Carolina
- Get an NC driver license within 60 days. Bring your VA license, Social Security number, and proof you live in North Carolina (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official North Carolina DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 60 days. Inspection: Safety + emissions in some counties.
- Make sure car insurance meets 30/60/25.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 25 days before an election. North Carolina elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. VA tax agency · NC tax agency.
- Both Virginia and North Carolina are in the nurse compact — a multistate license can follow you. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from Virginia to North Carolina
- Top listed income-tax rate: 5.75% in Virginia vs 3.99% in North Carolina (lower in North Carolina).
- Title the car in North Carolina within 60 days. Virginia plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
- New residents of North Carolina typically have 60 days to get a driver license (in Virginia, the window is 60 days).
- North Carolina title-tax rate used here is 3.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $944.75 (county extras omitted).
- Minimum wage: $12.77 in Virginia vs $7.25 in North Carolina.
Common questions
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Virginia to North Carolina?
The top listed rate goes down: 5.75% in Virginia vs 3.99% in North Carolina. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $6,642 in Virginia vs $4,788 in North Carolina. Actual bills depend on income, filing status, local tax, credits, and residency timing. This uses 2026 single-filer brackets after a $4,300 exemption per dependent.
How much is vehicle sales tax in North Carolina compared with Virginia?
North Carolina title-tax rate used here is 3.00% (5.30% in Virginia). Title the car in North Carolina within 60 days (30 days in Virginia). On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $944.75 (county extras omitted).
How does sales tax in North Carolina compare to Virginia?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 5.77% in Virginia vs 7.00% in North Carolina. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
When is the kindergarten cutoff in North Carolina compared with Virginia?
Virginia uses September 30. North Carolina uses August 31. Districts may set their own date; confirm with the local school.
How does the minimum wage in North Carolina compare with Virginia?
Virginia: $12.77. Statewide minimum wage $12.77. North Carolina: $7.25. Statewide minimum wage $7.25 (matches the federal rate). Some cities set a higher local rate. Tipped and youth rates can differ.
How does violent crime in North Carolina compare with Virginia?
The reported violent crime rate is 217.9 per 100,000 residents in Virginia vs 375.8 in North Carolina.
Related moves
Also see North Carolina and Virginia on their own. Moving from North Carolina to Virginia instead? This page covers that move too; use “Swap columns” at the top.
Your move
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- Top state income-tax rate. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. Virginia does not tax Social Security benefits (VA tax agency); North Carolina does not tax Social Security benefits (NC tax agency).
- Estate tax. Virginia has no state estate tax (VA tax agency); North Carolina has no state estate tax (NC tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Virginia has no state inheritance tax (VA tax agency); North Carolina has no state inheritance tax (NC tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Virginia $12.77; North Carolina $7.25.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax when you title a car. Virginia 5.30%; North Carolina 3.00%.
- State parks. Virginia 44; North Carolina 35. Official designated state parks (historic sites, recreation areas, and similar units omitted).
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; VA 1, NC 1).
- Population density. U.S. Census Bureau PopClock, people per sq. mi. · state population estimates.
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (VA vs NC: White non-Hispanic, Hispanic, Black, Asian).
- Days to get a license. Virginia 60 days; North Carolina 60 days.
- Days to title a car. Virginia 30 days; North Carolina 60 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled