Balsam Grove's 2025 cost of living is $2580 per month for singles and $5681 per month for families of four.
Living costs in Balsam Grove are 4% higher than the U.S. national average and 312% lower than North Carolina's state average.
This reflects a 2% increase from 2024.
The primary drivers of Balsam Grove's cost of living are soaring housing costs, elevated transportation expenses, and rising food prices.
See how Balsam Grove's cost of living affects your budget or salary needs with Salary.com's free Cost of Living Calculator.
Cost of Living Calculator
How does Balsam Grove's cost of living compare to the national average in 2025?
Living in Balsam Grove is more expensive than the national average,
with housing costs 4.0 % lower at $1153
per month for a single person and $2113 per month for a family of four.
Food expenses run 9.3 %
above average at $437
monthly for an individual and $1421 for a family,
while energy, transportation and healthcare costs are 21.1 % lower at about $690 per month
for one person and $1509 for a household.
These costs bring the total monthly expenses to $2280
for a single person and $5043 for a family of four,
making Balsam Grove one of America's most expensive cities.
How does the cost of living compare when moving from other major cities to Balsam Grove?
Balsam Grove's 2025 cost of living is 81% lower than San Francisco,
37% less than Washington, 13% below Miami
, 8% lower than Chicago, 47% less than Boston
, and 68% below New York.
Essential for evaluating relocation costs and salary needs in Balsam Grove.
Balsam Grove is an unincorporated community located in Transylvania County, North Carolina within Pisgah National Forest and Nantahala National Forest.
The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute is located in Balsam Grove....
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia
Comments about the cost of living in Balsam Grove, NC
Rent vs Buy: Renting could be the better choice for a lower cost of living
The largest contributor to any cost of living estimate is housing. In North Carolina, the cost of renting a home could be about the same as purchasing one, but may still be the better overall option for you. Renting generally has fewer up-front costs. If you hate the idea of having to spend time or money on yard maintenance, renting could be a better fit for you. Utilities are often included as part of the rent and may help to reduce your energy budget. Renting may also offer on-site amenities like a fitness center, pool, play area or tennis courts that would be out of reach if you were to purchase a home.
Wrapping those expenses into your rent could potentially leave you with more disposable income and a lower cost of living. Renting can give you a chance to experience a new location before making the major commitment of buying a home.
(2025-07-24salary.com)
Healthcare access and affordability and your cost of living
North Carolina is ranked number 37 out of all states in overall healthcare access and affordability.
Healthcare costs make up a significant part of the cost of living. The ability to afford healthcare as well as the ability to access care are key indicators of how much you will be paying for this important resource if you move to another state. Affordability is generally measured by the rates set for insurance coverage in a state, as well as the out-of-pocket expenses that need to be paid by you when receiving the care. If rates or out-of-pocket expenses are high, your cost of living will increase. Access to healthcare is how easy or difficult it may be to receive the care. Access is measured by identifying barriers that might prevent the delivery of care such as the inability to obtain insurance coverage, having to travel long distances to health care centers and lack of sufficient facilities and/or healthcare professionals. The timeliness of care, how fast you can get to see a healthcare provider, is another important measure.
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Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?
In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family.
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What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?
The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison.
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The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly.
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Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.