Cost of Living in Rutherford College, NC 2025
-3%
|
Lower Than National Avg.
30%
|
Higher Than State Avg.
Rutherford College's 2025 cost of living is $2411 per month for singles and $5308 per month for families of four.
Living costs in Rutherford College are 3% lower than the U.S. national average and 30% higher than North Carolina's state average.
This reflects a 2% increase from 2024.
The primary drivers of Rutherford College's cost of living are soaring housing costs, elevated transportation expenses, and rising food prices.
See how Rutherford College'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 Rutherford College's cost of living compare to the national average in 2025?
Living in Rutherford College is less expensive than the national average,
with housing costs 36.5 % lower at $762
per month for a single person and $1397 per month for a family of four.
Food expenses run 11.1 %
above average at $444
monthly for an individual and $1444 for a family,
while energy, transportation and healthcare costs are 1.1 % lower at about $865 per month
for one person and $1923 for a household.
These costs bring the total monthly expenses to $2071
for a single person and $4764 for a family of four,
making Rutherford College one of America's least expensive cities.
| Expense Category | Average Monthly Expense Single Person | Average Monthly Expense Family of Four | Rutherford College compare to: U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
|
762 | 1397 |
|
|
444 | 1444 |
|
|
168 | 288 |
|
|
414 | 880 |
|
|
283 | 755 |
|
How does the cost of living compare when moving from other major cities to Rutherford College?
Rutherford College's 2025 cost of living is 94% lower than San Francisco,
47% less than Washington, 20% below Miami
, 15% lower than Chicago, 57% less than Boston
, and 80% below New York.
Essential for evaluating relocation costs and salary needs in Rutherford College.
| Move From | Move To | Cost of Living Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | Rutherford College |
|
| Washington, DC | Rutherford College |
|
| Miami, FL | Rutherford College |
|
| Chicago, IL | Rutherford College |
|
| Boston, MA | Rutherford College |
|
| New York, NY | Rutherford College |
|
| Dallas, TX | Rutherford College |
|
About Rutherford College, NC
Rutherford College is a town in Burke County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 1,341. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The town was named for the college that was once located there, Rutherford College, which had been there since the 1800s. The campus was later purchased by Valdese General Hospital.
Rutherford College is located in eastern Burke County at 35°44′45″N 81°31′43″W / 35.74583°N 81.52861°W / 35.74583; -81.52861 (35.745825, -81.528737). It is bordered by Valdese to the west and Connelly Springs t...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia
Comments about the cost of living in Rutherford College, 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.
(
2025-07-24
salary.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.
(
2025-07-24
salary.com
)
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.
(
2025-07-24
salary.com
)
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.
(
2025-07-24
salary.com
)
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.
(
2025-07-24
salary.com
)
See how much you can get when it is an hourly pay
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.
See how much you can get when it is a yearly pay
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.
Last Update: 2025-07-24