Cost of Living in Greenville, NC [2025]

Greenville is an up-and-coming city known for its flawless blend of laid-back rural feel and urban excitement. As part of the South, you’ll feel immediate hospitality in this city filled with so much history. Being located right along the 200-mile-long Tar River means that there is plenty to do in the city of Greenville and some great outdoors to explore.

If you're considered moving to North Carolina to take advantage of the relatively low cost of living, the southern hospitality, or a combination of both, you need an idea of what your costs will look like. Let’s look at the cost of living in Greenville to understand better how much you need to live there.

Cost of Living in Greenville, NC

What Is the Cost of Living in Greenville, NC?

If you're looking for an affordable city, Greenville delivers. According to Sperling Best Places, the overall cost of living in Greenville, NC is 14.7% less than the national average, leaving more room in your budget for extras, or to upgrade your apartment to the neighborhood you really want to live in.

We also took a look at how the data for cost of living categories broke down for Greenville:

Where Is the Cost of Living Highest in Greenville, NC

Greenville, NC enjoys a low-cost of living, but some neighborhoods are more expensive than others. The cost of living in Greenville, NC's metro area is highest in areas like Grimesland, where it's estimated you'll need $4,140 a month. It's still less than the national average, but more expensive than what you'll find in other parts of Greenville.

Where is the Cost of Living Most Affordable in Greenville, NC?

If you're looking to make the most out of your budget in Greenville, you can look to neighborhoods where rents are cheaper. The most affordable cost of living in Greenville, NC, are areas like Ayden where it's estimated you need about $2,460 a month for expenses.

How Much Is Rent in Greenville, NC?

Greenville, NC's rental prices dipped by 1.3% in February but remain 6.9% higher than this time last year. Over the past 12 months, rent growth in Greenville has surpassed both the state average, which declined by 2.1%, and the national average, which dropped by 0.4%.

After two months into the year, Greenville's rental prices have declined by 1.3%. This marks a shift from the same period last year when rents had risen by 1.3% between January and February 2024.

How Much Is a 1-Bedroom Apartment in Greenville, NC?

If you're planning a move to Greenville, NC, you can expect to pay an average of $954 for a one-bedroom apartment. If you're on a budget and are looking to stay as frugal as possible, consider teaming up with a roommate, a studio apartment, or exploring nearby areas; could help lower your housing costs.

How Much Is a 2-Bedroom Apartment in Greenville, NC?

If you're looking for more space and want to rent a two-bedroom apartment, you'll spend an average of $1,229 a month. Currently, Greenville is the 10th largest city in the state and continues to grow steadily and slowly, but rents are still relatively affordable.

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Greenville, NC?

Your recommended salary in Greenville depends entirely on the type of lifestyle you plan to lead. We recommend starting with the 30% rule for rent to determine what salary you should be searching for in Greenville. If you plan to follow this rule, you should not be spending more than one-third, or 30%, of your gross income on rent.

According to the 30% rule, if your rent is close to the median for a one-bedroom apartment in Greenville at $954, your monthly wages should be at least $38,160 annually, $3,180 a month, or $18.33 an hour.

It's also wise to consider the living wage in Greenville, which is $19.81 per hour, which is the basic wage needed to pay for essentials like housing, food, and necessities. Keep in mind when calculating your budget that extra costs like dining, entertainment, and student loan repayments are not a part of the living wage.

You can also look to data from the U.S. Census Bureau that reports the median household income is $50,564 per year, $4,13.67 a month or $24.31 per hour. Although that figure is lower than the national average of $78,538, the cost of living in Greenville, NC is also lower and leaves more room in your budget.

Remember that the living wage, average salary, and recommended salary for any city, including Greenville, are three very different things. You’ll need to anticipate needs regarding additional living costs, including dining, entertainment, etc. In doing so, you might find that you’ll need to search for a higher salary, a less expensive apartment, or in a perfect world, both.

Thankfully, the typical annual salaries for common professions in Greenville are highly competitive. The three highest typical annual salaries belong to Management, Legal, Computer, and Mathematical positions, respectively.

How Much Is Housing in Greenville, NC?

Like the rest of the categories for cost of living in Greenville, NC, home prices are also affordable. Currently, the median home price in Greenville is $209,200. That figure is considerably less than the state average of $289,300 and the national average of $338,100.

How Much Is Transportation in Greenville, NC

Greenville’s official public transportation operator is the Greenville Area Transit (GREAT). The bus runs Monday through Friday from 7:25 AM to 5:15 PM, with no service currently being offered on the weekends or federal holidays.

Public transportation in Greenville is not the most dependable, so you will most likely need to account for having a vehicle of your own.

If you're a single adult without children, you'll spend about $8,939 for transportation in Greenville annually. A family of four, including two working adults and two children, will pay $14,995 for transportation annually. Gasoline prices are around $3.18 per gallon, slightly lower than the national average of $3.52.

How Much Are Groceries in Greenville?

Greenville offers countless must-eat dining options, with a handful of authentic food items, including Devil’s Dust Eggs from Bacon Bros Public House, Sweet Potato Cake from Brick Street Cafe, and Sweet Potato Crunch from Bucky’s BBQ.

Eating at an inexpensive restaurant in Greenville costs an average of $10 for a meal. A three-course dinner for two people at a mid-range restaurant will run $76 without alcohol or dessert.

If you're a single adult without children, you can expect to pay at least $4,268 on food per year. However, a family of four with two working adults and for two children should expect to pay $12,510 per year for food.

You can anticipate paying slightly below the national average for food items from local grocery stores like The Fresh Market, Publix, or Harris Teeter. For example, a carton of 12 eggs costs $2.10 in Greenville, with the national average being $4.04.

How Much Is Child Care in Greenville, NC?

Childcare in Greenville, NC isn't exactly cheap, but it's considerably less expensive than in areas like Charlotte. You'll spend $10,389 for one child on daycare in Greenville, NC and $19,263 on two children. By comparison, childcare for one child in Charlotte is $14,321 and two children is $24,071.

You can lower your childcare costs by looking to less expensive neighborhoods or suburban areas. Looking into remote work and figuring out a flexible schedule with a significant other or teaming up with a family for a nanny share can also help with costs.

How Much Is Healthcare in Greenville, NC

When planning your budget in Greenville, it’s important to account for proper medical care. A single adult without children will pay around $3,309 for medical care over the year. Two working adults with two children should expect to pay $10,064. Finding generous employee-sponsored healthcare benefits can help, as well as MEND Free Clinics for quallifying individuals.

How Much Are Utilities in Greenville, NC?

Winters in Greenville are cold and wet. The coldest days of the year fall in January with an average overnight temperature of 34°, while summers are hot and muggy. July is the hottest month, with an average daytime high of 90°.

To combat the cold winters and hot, humid summers, you'll need to account for higher utilities year-round. Greenville’s basic utilities include electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, running $163.21 for a 915-sq. ft. apartment.

Adding on a basic phone plan and Internet with 60 Mbps or more with unlimited data, cable/ADSL will cost you an extra $50.91 for a total of $283.44 each month.

It’s a good idea to determine how much utilities will cost in an apartment before you move so you can get a better idea of what to expect and how to budget accordingly.

Greenville, NC Fitness & Entertainment

With four very different seasons in Greenville, you’ll want to consider fitness club membership costs to keep fit throughout the year. The monthly fee for a fitness club membership for one adult is $55.

Otherwise, when the weather permits, you can enjoy the beautiful Greenville landscape. Some favorite outdoor activities include paddling the Tar River or biking, running, or walking along the Greenville Greenway. Greenville’s other great walking and hiking paths can be found at Goose Creek State Park, River Park North, and Elm Street Park.

There is plenty of entertainment throughout the city that can be found indoors. For example, if you enjoy the local cinema, it will cost you $15.00 without snacks or drinks. You can save a few bucks by checking out Dream Park, with fun outdoor activities for all ages.

How Much Are Taxes in Greenville, NC?

North Carolina has a flat income tax rate of 5.25% and a sales tax of 4.75%. In Greenville, the Pitt County sales tax rate adds another 2.25% to the state rate, making the total sales tax rate for the city even 7.00%.

Aside from taxes, anyone moving out of state to Greenville will need to consider costs associated with cross-country movers, storage, hotels, and transportation. Additional apartment application fees, security deposits, pet deposits, and other add-ons often accompany these types of moves.

Job Market in Greenville, NC

Beyond the relatively low cost of living in Greenville, the job market is also very healthy here. The unemployment rate in Greenville is lower than the national average of 3.8%, currently at 3.2%.

Greenville has deep roots in the textile industry and is still one of the top manufacturing cities in the southern U.S. Some of the major employers in the area include Proterra, Michelin North America Inc., and GE.

Although the textile industry remains strong in Greenville, healthcare has become predominant. The largest employer in Greenville is the Greenville Health System.

Find Your Next Apartment in Greenville, NC

Ready to enjoy the low cost of living in Greenville, temperate weather, and year-round fun? Now that you know all about the cost of living in Greenville, you can start your apartment hunt. Get started with this quiz today.

FAQs: Cost of Living in Greenville in 2025:

How expensive is an apartment in Greenville, NC?

Greenville rents are climbing. A one-bedroom apartment in Greenville costs $954. If you need more room, a two-bedroom apartment in Greenville costs $1,229.

What is the cheapest rent in Greenville, NC?

Currently, the cheapest rent in Greenville is for a one-bedroom apartment. You can expect to pay an average of $954 in rent.

How expensive is it to live in Greenville, NC?

Greenville rent averages out to $954 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Food costs about $4,268 a year in Greenville. However, a family of four with two working adults and two children should expect to pay $12,510 per year for food. It costs $8,939 for transportation in Greenville annually.

What is the population of Greenville, NC?

According to the US Census Bureau, the population in Greenville was 90,053 in 2023. The entire population of the state of North Carolina is 11,046,024.

What is a good salary in Greenville, NC?

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the average salary for Greenville residents is $50,564. However, to stick to the rule of spending only 30% on your monthly income on rent, you only need an income of $38,160 to live comfortably in a one-bedroom apartment that costs $954 a month.