Cost of Living in Clayton, NC - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,078 (excluding rent), and $2,556 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,798 (excluding rent), and $4,971 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.84 $17.84

$7.93 $7.93

$24.78 $24.78

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75.7 $75.7

$32.29 $32.29

$101 $101

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.10 $10.10

$6.06 $6.06

$11.06 $11.06

Cappuccino

$4.85 $4.85

$1.96 $1.96

$5.89 $5.89

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

$2.28 $2.28

$1.95 $1.95

$2.93 $2.93

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.87 $1.87

$1.26 $1.26

$2.93 $2.93

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.52 $5.52

$3.44 $3.44

$6.88 $6.88

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.82 $5.82

$4.85 $4.85

$7.76 $7.76

Milk (1 liter)

$1.00 $1.00

$0.47 $0.47

$1.55 $1.55

White Bread (500g)

$3.82 $3.82

$2.18 $2.18

$4.39 $4.39

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.22 $3.22

$1.97 $1.97

$6.63 $6.63

Eggs

$4.58 $4.58

$2.31 $2.31

$6.55 $6.55

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.50 $13.50

$4.66 $4.66

$17.33 $17.33

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.40 $11.40

$4.40 $4.40

$15.37 $15.37

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.44 $16.44

$8.76 $8.76

$19.74 $19.74

Apples (1kg)

$5.75 $5.75

$2.22 $2.22

$8.25 $8.25

Banana (1kg)

$1.64 $1.64

$1.09 $1.09

$2.22 $2.22

Oranges (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$2.17 $2.17

$8.68 $8.68

Tomato (1kg)

$4.03 $4.03

$2.22 $2.22

$4.45 $4.45

Potato (1kg)

$3.71 $3.71

$1.59 $1.59

$6.81 $6.81

Onion (1kg)

$2.76 $2.76

$2.18 $2.18

$3.26 $3.26

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.78 $1.78

$1.01 $1.01

$2.02 $2.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.03 $1.03

$2.57 $2.57

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.26 $8.26

$7.03 $7.03

$9.23 $9.23

Wine (Bottle)

$15.24 $15.24

$12.19 $12.19

$18.29 $18.29

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.13 $2.13

$1.47 $1.47

$2.93 $2.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$1.81 $1.81

$4.30 $4.30

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.94 $1.94

$1.21 $1.21

$1.94 $1.94

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.98 $1.98

$5.07 $5.07

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.54 $1.54

$4.93 $4.93

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$14.73 $14.73

$34.37 $34.37

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.82 $0.82

$0.73 $0.73

$0.96 $0.96

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

$30.1K $30.1K

$22.6K $22.6K

$41.1K $41.1K

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

$24.5K $24.5K

$21.7K $21.7K

$25.1K $25.1K

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

$142 $142

$78.1 $78.1

$203 $203

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

$55.3 $55.3

$40.40 $40.40

$101 $101

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.4 $71.4

$55.5 $55.5

$85.7 $85.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.65 $42.65

$17.36 $17.36

$49.59 $49.59

Cinema Ticket

$14.17 $14.17

$12.15 $12.15

$18.22 $18.22

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

$1,324 $1,324

$996 $996

$1,893 $1,893

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.2K $24.2K

$16.1K $16.1K

$33.5K $33.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.28 $48.28

$19.66 $19.66

$68.8 $68.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.20 $36.20

$15.08 $15.08

$80.5 $80.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$65.4 $65.4

$131 $131

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$142 $142

$90.3 $90.3

$249 $249

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,584 $1,584

$1,186 $1,186

$1,836 $1,836

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,341 $1,341

$991 $991

$1,486 $1,486

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,664 $2,664

$2,026 $2,026

$3,039 $3,039

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,193 $2,193

$1,678 $1,678

$2,467 $2,467

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,696 $2,696

$1,968 $1,968

$2,696 $2,696

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,635 $2,635

$2,172 $2,172

$2,635 $2,635

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.15

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Clayton, NC Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

278

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

339

Mbps

209

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 Clayton, NC - Frequently Asked Questions

Clayton, NC, United States offers a balanced mix of small-town charm and easy access to Raleigh’s hubs. It’s quiet and safe, with services that feel affordable compared with larger metros, and you’re close to big-city amenities without the grind. Cost of Living in [location] is a phrase you may use when comparing towns; in Clayton, you’ll find value in mid-range housing, casual dining, and practical daily needs. The town’s neighborhoods range from walkable downtown pockets to newer communities with parks and family routines, which appeals to expats seeking stability or a stable base for digital work. Tip: map a round of short stays in different areas to learn where you’ll feel most productive.

Daily life in Clayton centers on smooth routines, practical logistics, and a dash of southern hospitality. Housing options range from comfortable rentals near the downtown district to larger homes in newer subdivisions, with rental terms often flexible for short or longer stays. For groceries and dining, you’ll find familiar chains plus local eateries and farmers markets in season. Transit leans car-friendly, but you can bike or walk in the compact core and along the new trails connecting to nearby towns; many use ride-hailing for occasional trips to Raleigh. Co-working spaces, cafés, and libraries provide productive spots for remote work. [location] living cost remains a useful benchmark when you compare neighborhoods or search windows. Tip: Consider a weeklong stay to observe grocery prices and transit patterns across neighborhoods.

Quality of life in Clayton fits travelers and remote workers who want a balanced pace with access to outdoor spaces and community events. To budget effectively, frame expenses with a simple system: housing, groceries, transport, and discretionary spend. Favor longer leases for predictable rent, and shop seasonal produce to stretch meals. Neighborhood fit matters: downtown Clayton offers walkability and cafés, while surrounding suburbs feel greener and more family-oriented. Seasonality influences activities and energy use – summer heat increases cooling needs, while milder months invite strolls and local markets. Tip: build a flexible budgeting framework and test it across a few different weeks to see what actually changes with the seasons.