Cost of Living in Pinehurst, NC
Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Pinehurst, NC to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Pinehurst, NC vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 88.3 | −11.7% |
| Housing | 59.3 | −40.7% |
| Goods | 96.6 | −3.4% |
| Utilities | 88.2 | −11.8% |
| Other services | 98.2 | −1.8% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Pinehurst, NC
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,157 | $46,280/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,239 | $49,560/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,358 | $54,320/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,889 | $75,560/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,278 | $91,120/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Pinehurst, NC
- Federal income tax$2,970
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,661
- Medicare (1.45%)$622
- North Carolina income tax$1,204
- Take-home pay$35,462
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Highest-paying jobs in Pinehurst, NC
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pinehurst, NC expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC metro area are 88.3% of the U.S. average, with housing at 59.3%. It is the #329 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Pinehurst, NC?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $53,002 in Pinehurst, NC (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $42,920.
How much is rent in Pinehurst, NC?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Pinehurst, NC are $1,157 for a studio, $1,239 for one bedroom, $1,358 for two bedrooms and $1,889 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Pinehurst, NC
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $94,400
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $81,520
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Nursing Assistant — $36,930
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $28,850
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $44,680
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,690
- Waiter and Waitress — $34,080
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $27,200
- Cooks, Fast Food — $26,610
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $35,590
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $29,700
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $23,190
Sales and Related Occupations
- Retail Salesperson — $30,020
- Cashier — $27,710
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Office Clerks, General — $39,250
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $37,920
- Customer Service Representative — $34,590
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Stocker and Order Filler — $33,150
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $31,210