Cost of Living in McDowell County, NC

Modeled annual cost: $45,507.

Median family income: $68,570.

Affordability Snapshot

NC County Median

$46,829

State Rank

66thMost expensive counties in NC out of 100See North Carolina county rankings

Median Income

$68,570

Location Type

Not Metropolitan

Biggest category:

Transport is the biggest expense in McDowell County, NC.

$13,233 per year.

Cost breakdown

Total

$45,507

Per year

  • Transport:$13,233
  • Housing:$9,360
  • Taxes:$8,837
  • Healthcare:$6,181
  • Other Costs:$4,088
  • Food:$3,808
  • Childcare:$0

* Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.

Cheaper counties in North Carolina

1Halifax County, NC
$42,117
2Surry County, NC
$42,575
3Rockingham County, NC
$42,619
4Robeson County, NC
$42,740
5Yadkin County, NC
$42,961

Popular comparisons in North Carolina

See how McDowell County, NC compares across the country.

Explore our cost of living interactive map to compare McDowell County, NC with multiple counties in the United States.

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Cost of Living in McDowell County, NC (2026)