North Carolina has a flat income tax rate of 3.99%, the 22nd highest combined sales tax (7.10%) and the federal $7.25 minimum wage as of 2026.
$7,876 a year: that is roughly what a North Carolina homeowner earning $75,000 pays in state income tax ($2,484), sales tax on $25,000 of purchases ($1,775), property tax on a $300,000 house ($1,980) and electricity at 900 kWh a month ($1,637).
North Carolina uses a single flat rate. Single filers' standard deduction: $12,750. On $50,000 of wages, a single filer's North Carolina tax works out to about $1,486 (3.0% of wages); on $100,000 it is about $3,481 (3.5%). Source: Tax Foundation, January 1, 2026.
| Rate | Single filers | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|
| 3.99% | over $0 | over $0 |
Estimated 2026 take-home pay for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions, using the federal brackets and $16,100 standard deduction, Social Security and Medicare, and North Carolina's brackets above. Open the paycheck calculator set to North Carolina to add a 401(k), change pay frequency or filing status.
| Salary | Federal tax | FICA | State tax | Take-home (year) | Per biweekly check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $1,486 | $40,869 | $1,572 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $5,738 | $2,484 | $59,109 | $2,273 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $3,481 | $75,699 | $2,911 |
The state rate is 4.75% and local governments add 2.35% on average, for a combined 7.10%, 22nd highest of the 50 states and D.C. (median 7.00%). A $1,000 purchase carries about $71 in sales tax at the average combined rate. Source: Tax Foundation, July 1, 2026.
North Carolina follows the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour (the North Carolina rate equals the federal minimum), which is $15,080 a year for full-time work (2,080 hours). Source: U.S. Department of Labor, July 1, 2026.
Homeowners in North Carolina paid property taxes equal to 0.66% of home value on average, the 19th lowest effective rate (median state 0.79%). On a $300,000 home that is about $1,980 a year, or $165 a month in escrow. Source: Tax Foundation (Census ACS data), 2024 data.
Residential electricity averaged 15.16¢ per kWh in July 2026, the 16th lowest of the 50 states and D.C. (median 16.09¢). A household using 900 kWh a month would pay about $136 before fixed charges. Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data.
North Carolina sits in the middle of its 4 neighbors on taxes, wages and power prices.
| State | Top income tax | Sales tax | Min. wage | Property tax | Electricity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 3.99% | 7.10% | $7.25 | 0.66% | 15.16¢ |
| Georgia | 5.19% | 7.56% | $7.25 | 0.79% | 16.27¢ |
| South Carolina | 6% | 7.49% | $7.25 | 0.49% | 15.47¢ |
| Tennessee | None | 9.61% | $7.25 | 0.52% | 13.71¢ |
| Virginia | 5.75% | 5.77% | $12.77 | 0.78% | 17.55¢ |
North Carolina figures use statewide averages and skip credits, exemptions and local income taxes; check North Carolina revenue and labor department sites before filing or hiring.