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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,048 (excluding rent), and $2,508 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,597 (excluding rent), and $4,782 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.73 $15.73

$9.83 $9.83

$30.47 $30.47

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.1 $50.1

$132 $132

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.98 $9.98

$11.98 $11.98

Cappuccino

$2.23 $2.23

$6.95 $6.95

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

$1.87 $1.87

$1.54 $1.54

$3.08 $3.08

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.86 $1.86

$1.26 $1.26

$2.43 $2.43

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.48 $3.48

$6.95 $6.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.57 $7.57

$5.9 $5.9

$7.86 $7.86

Milk (1 liter)

$1 $1

$0.65 $0.65

$1.55 $1.55

White Bread (500g)

$3.24 $3.24

$2.58 $2.58

$4.33 $4.33

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.28 $4.28

$1.95 $1.95

$8.58 $8.58

Eggs

$4.43 $4.43

$2.44 $2.44

$6.73 $6.73

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.99 $16.99

$11.03 $11.03

$30.88 $30.88

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.35 $16.35

$5.49 $5.49

$25.96 $25.96

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.72 $16.72

$11.41 $11.41

$21.74 $21.74

Apples (1kg)

$5.78 $5.78

$2.74 $2.74

$8.28 $8.28

Banana (1kg)

$1.32 $1.32

$1.12 $1.12

$4.47 $4.47

Oranges (1kg)

$6.55 $6.55

$2.21 $2.21

$17.73 $17.73

Tomato (1kg)

$4.05 $4.05

$2.33 $2.33

$4.47 $4.47

Potato (1kg)

$3.83 $3.83

$1.69 $1.69

$7.85 $7.85

Onion (1kg)

$2.74 $2.74

$2.17 $2.17

$3.24 $3.24

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.53 $1.53

$1.28 $1.28

$1.98 $1.98

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.86 $1.86

$1.27 $1.27

$2.43 $2.43

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.27 $7.27

$6.81 $6.81

$17.5 $17.5

Wine (Bottle)

$15.29 $15.29

$7.14 $7.14

$24.47 $24.47

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.07 $2.07

$1.7 $1.7

$2.81 $2.81

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.27 $3.27

$1.97 $1.97

$4.46 $4.46

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.04 $2.04

$1.28 $1.28

$2.04 $2.04

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.08 $3.08

$5.13 $5.13

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.89 $1.89

$5.05 $5.05

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.21 $30.21

$35.25 $35.25

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 $0.88

$0.77 $0.77

$1 $1

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

$34.3K $34.3K

$22.3K $22.3K

$40.6K $40.6K

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

$24.7K $24.7K

$23.9K $23.9K

$25.3K $25.3K

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

$140 $140

$79.6 $79.6

$199 $199

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

$45.42 $45.42

$40.38 $40.38

$101 $101

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.5 $72.5

$55.1 $55.1

$120 $120

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.56 $42.56

$17.32 $17.32

$49.49 $49.49

Cinema Ticket

$13.99 $13.99

$11.99 $11.99

$18.98 $18.98

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

$1,322 $1,322

$995 $995

$1,663 $1,663

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.7K $24.7K

$16.8K $16.8K

$26.3K $26.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.49 $49.49

$30.23 $30.23

$70.5 $70.5

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.67 $36.67

$15.28 $15.28

$61.1 $61.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$105 $105

$76.3 $76.3

$132 $132

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$154 $154

$99.2 $99.2

$198 $198

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,591 $1,591

$1,192 $1,192

$1,844 $1,844

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,344 $1,344

$993 $993

$1,489 $1,489

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,608 $2,608

$1,983 $1,983

$2,974 $2,974

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,238 $2,238

$1,712 $1,712

$2,517 $2,517

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,960 $1,960

$1,943 $1,943

$1,976 $1,976

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,975 $1,975

$1,959 $1,959

$1,991 $1,991

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,550 $3,550

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.19

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

Last update: December 2, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Sanford, NC - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Sanford, NC, United States sits in a comfortable middle ground for a small southern city: housing and everyday costs feel practical without the sticker shock of big metros. You’ll notice a friendly balance between modest rents in suburban pockets and walkable downtown areas with shops and cafés. Utilities and groceries follow national patterns, and you can tailor your budget by choosing between longer-term rentals and short stays. Seasonal events and local amenities add value beyond price, from parks to community markets. Tip: Start with a month-to-month option to gauge neighborhoods and ongoing expenses.

In Sanford, you’ll find housing in a range of styles, from historic downtown homes to newer apartments in quiet neighborhoods, with convenient access to parks around Lake Monroe. Grocery stores, bakeries, and casual eateries make dining out affordable and varied. For work, consider coworking spaces or quiet cafés in the downtown core. A car is common for errands and commuting, though rideshare and limited transit options exist. Sanford, NC, United States living cost tends to balance space and urban access with affordable daily needs. Tip: compare neighborhoods by walkability, parking, and access to groceries to minimize daily costs.

A practical budgeting framework blends fixed costs (rent, utilities) with flexible ones (food, transport, entertainment). Plan for hotter summers with energy-efficient cooling and lighter wardrobes, while winters stay mild but still demand heating management. Prioritize neighborhoods with nearby parks, schools, and clinics if you’ll stay longer. Look for longer lease terms to stabilize rent, and use local markets and seasonal produce to save on groceries. Tip: keep a simple monthly tracker to spot rising costs and adjust your plan before it bites your lifestyle.