How far does a $100,000 salary stretch in NC? A new study examines it
Earning a six-figure salary is often regarded as a significant financial achievement for many workers.
In North Carolina, a $100,000 yearly salary would comfortably cover the majority of your living expenses, according to a recent GoBankingRates analysis.
The personal finance website examined the annual percentage of expenditures that $100K will cover.
“A $100,000 salary, once seen as a sign of tremendous financial success, doesn’t go as far these days,” GoBankingRates reporter J. David Herman wrote. “How far it goes varies widely depending on which state you live in.”
Nationally, GoBankingRates found that in 13 states, a $100,000 salary isn’t even enough to cover the average annual cost of living. On the other end of the spectrum, there are 15 states where making that amount would cover 120% or more of those expenses.
Here’s how the numbers break down in North Carolina:
How much does a $100K cover in North Carolina?
GoBankingRates identified the state as one of several where $100,000 stretched the furthest. Annual expenses, the website stated, were $88,862, and the six-figure earnings would cover 112.8% of these expenses.
North Carolina, ranked No. 24 on the GoBankingRates list, was also favored because the state scored “below the national median” in groceries, housing, utilities, and transportation.
How many people in NC actually earn $100,000 a year?
About 18% of all adult workers in the United States — roughly 38 million people — earn six figures a year, according to data from online research company YouGov Profiles.
About 25% of men in the workforce earn an annual salary of more than $100,000, the website said, compared to just 12% of women. The average median household income in North Carolina is $73,958, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
How did GoBankingRates come up with its data?
GoBankingRates used data that was sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.
The website calculated the cost-of-living index for each state compared to the national average. The study included costs associated with six categories: housing, utilities, groceries, healthcare, transportation and miscellaneous expenses.
This story was originally published October 8, 2025 at 11:39 AM with the headline "How far does a $100,000 salary stretch in NC? A new study examines it."