Cost of Living in Cape Carteret, NC - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $944 (excluding rent), and $2,428 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,023 (excluding rent), and $4,593 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.85 $19.85

$14.89 $14.89

$46.65 $46.65

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.6 $50.6

$167 $167

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.05 $12.05

$13.04 $13.04

Cappuccino

$4.87 $4.87

$9.74 $9.74

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.54 $1.54

$3.58 $3.58

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.40 $2.40

$1.99 $1.99

$3.97 $3.97

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.06 $6.06

$4.04 $4.04

$20.20 $20.20

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.18 $7.18

$6.15 $6.15

$8.20 $8.20

Milk (1 liter)

$0.59 $0.59

$1.79 $1.79

White Bread (500g)

$3.16 $3.16

$2.26 $2.26

$4.64 $4.64

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$1.19 $1.19

$11.20 $11.20

Eggs

$3.57 $3.57

$1.66 $1.66

$4.04 $4.04

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.38 $11.38

$8.68 $8.68

$15.18 $15.18

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.69 $6.69

$4.33 $4.33

$17.34 $17.34

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.14 $16.14

$11.20 $11.20

$26.89 $26.89

Apples (1kg)

$2.40 $2.40

$1.42 $1.42

$2.90 $2.90

Banana (1kg)

$1.43 $1.43

$0.95 $0.95

$2.14 $2.14

Oranges (1kg)

$2.71 $2.71

$1.95 $1.95

$3.77 $3.77

Tomato (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$1.96 $1.96

$6.27 $6.27

Potato (1kg)

$2.33 $2.33

$1.71 $1.71

$3.05 $3.05

Onion (1kg)

$3.12 $3.12

$0.98 $0.98

$6.48 $6.48

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.69 $1.69

$0.98 $0.98

$1.86 $1.86

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$2.27 $2.27

$3.03 $3.03

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.87 $8.87

$7.40 $7.40

$9.37 $9.37

Wine (Bottle)

$5.12 $5.12

$15.36 $15.36

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.78 $1.78

$1.72 $1.72

$2.12 $2.12

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.21 $2.21

$1.94 $1.94

$2.54 $2.54

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.23 $1.23

$1.96 $1.96

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.73 $4.73

$3.46 $3.46

$6.10 $6.10

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.74 $1.74

$1.57 $1.57

$2.53 $2.53

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$20.25 $20.25

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 $0.88

$0.80 $0.80

$0.94 $0.94

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$34.6K $34.6K

$28.5K $28.5K

$36.1K $36.1K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.8K $26.8K

$25.8K $25.8K

$29.8K $29.8K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$168 $168

$112 $112

$254 $254

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$47.97 $47.97

$29.77 $29.77

$99.3 $99.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$69.0 $69.0

$45.80 $45.80

$94.2 $94.2

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.84 $42.84

$17.44 $17.44

$49.82 $49.82

Cinema Ticket

$10.15 $10.15

$15.22 $15.22

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,642 $1,642

$1,009 $1,009

$2,101 $2,101

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.8K $15.8K

$10.8K $10.8K

$21.6K $21.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.5 $50.5

$30.28 $30.28

$99.9 $99.9

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.58 $45.58

$44.60 $44.60

$46.56 $46.56

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.8 $86.8

$75.7 $75.7

$151 $151

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$45.85 $45.85

$204 $204

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,587 $1,587

$1,188 $1,188

$1,839 $1,839

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,373 $1,373

$1,014 $1,014

$1,522 $1,522

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,606 $2,606

$1,982 $1,982

$2,972 $2,972

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,211 $2,211

$1,691 $1,691

$2,487 $2,487

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,680 $2,680

$1,951 $1,951

$2,680 $2,680

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,408 $2,408

$1,948 $1,948

$2,408 $2,408

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,957 $2,957

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.58

6.19

6.8

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 1, 2026

Cape Carteret, NC Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Cape Carteret, NC - Frequently Asked Questions

Cape Carteret sits in a small coastal corridor where you’re likely to find a quieter pace and a reasonable baseline for everyday expenses. The Cost of Living in Cape Carteret, NC, United States tends to be steadier than bigger cities, with simple pleasures like local seafood and park-side walks offering high value. You’ll find a mix of housing options – from modest rentals to longer-term coastal homes – usually priced lower than more touristy hubs, especially off-season. The lifestyle leans toward outdoors, with easy access to beaches, boating, and nature trails that help stretch a budget. Tip: consider weekly shopping and local markets to maximize value.

Daily life here blends small-town convenience with plenty of outdoor options. Finding a place can mean weighing nearby towns for more inventory and slightly different vibes, from quiet cul-de-sacs to cluster neighborhoods near waterways. Food choices center on seafood, markets, and casual eateries, with groceries available at familiar chains and local shops. Transportation is typically by car, with decent road access to Morehead City and Emerald Isle; bikes and walking are doable for short hops. Cape Carteret, NC, United States living cost discussions help you gauge what fits your routine and timing, especially in peak seasons. Tip: map out errands by proximity to your lodging.

Quality of life here centers on balance between pace, access to outdoors, and community feel. Build a budgeting framework by separating essential expenses (housing, utilities, groceries) from discretionary spends (dining out, activities). Seek neighborhood fits by visiting during different seasons; look for areas with ferry access, parks, and easy commutes to Morehead City for services. Savings ideas include buying in-season seafood, taking advantage of multi-month passes for beaches or co-working spaces, and using public transit or car-sharing when possible. Understanding seasonal shifts helps anticipate crowds and quiet periods, guiding your choice of home base for work and life. Tip: trial a week in a few neighborhoods before committing.