Compare states / North Carolina
NC
Compare North Carolina with other states
North Carolina is the 9th-most populous state, with about 11.3 million residents and 233 people per square mile. It taxes wages, but its top rate of 3.99% is the 10th-lowest among the 41 states that do; its effective property-tax rate of 0.66% is close to the middle (33rd-highest of 50). The median home value, $339,594, ranks 26th-highest of 50.
Data: North Carolina (ncdor.gov, ncdot.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Flat 3.99% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 7.00% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.66% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | County property tax on vehicles, about 1.10% effective |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $7.25 (matches the federal rate). |
| Median home value | $339,594 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 3.00% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $56.00 |
| Registration (base) | $38.75 |
| Car inspection | Safety + emissions in some counties |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 35 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 1 |
| Population | 11,343,875 |
| Population density | 233.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 60.7% White (non-Hispanic) 10.5% Hispanic 21.6% Black 3.3% Asian |
| Violent crime | 375.8 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in North Carolina
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 3.99%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in North Carolina
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 3.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in North Carolina
- Get an NC driver license within 60 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in North Carolina.
- 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. North Carolina elections site.
- Nurse license: North Carolina is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in North Carolina: August 31. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How North Carolina compares
Top listed income-tax rate: 3.99% in North Carolina vs 13.3% in California (lower in North Carolina).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include North Carolina are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. 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. North Carolina does not tax Social Security benefits (NC tax agency).
- Estate tax. North Carolina has no state estate tax (NC tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. North Carolina has no state inheritance tax (NC tax agency).
- Minimum wage. North Carolina $7.25.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. North Carolina 3.00%.
- State parks. North Carolina 35. Official designated state parks.
- 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; NC 1).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (NC).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. North Carolina 60 days.
- Days to title a car. North Carolina 60 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled