Jacksonville is North Carolina's military city. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River sit on its edge, and much of the local economy runs on service members, their families, and the businesses that serve them. For a coastal city, it is affordable: the typical home is worth about $265,000, well below the state average, and a single adult can cover basic expenses on roughly $43,700 a year. The catch is that local wages are low. This guide covers what it costs to live in Jacksonville in 2026, what jobs pay, and how military housing allowances and North Carolina's tax rules change the math.
Jacksonville NC Cost of Living at a Glance
Jacksonville is cheaper than North Carolina's big metros for housing, close to the state average for daily expenses, and well below average for wages.
The Key Numbers
| Measure | Jacksonville | For Comparison |
|---|
| Typical home value | $264,857 | About $331,000 statewide |
| Average rent | $1,395 a month | $1,579 in Raleigh |
| Median household income | $57,697 | $72,388 statewide |
| Average wage, all jobs | $24.60 an hour | $33.54 nationally |
| Income a single adult needs for basics | $43,689 a year | $46,745 statewide |
| Income a family of four needs for basics | $99,497 a year | $106,196 statewide |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 8.25% in Charlotte |
Sources: Zillow (June 2026); US Census Bureau (2024); Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025); MIT Living Wage Calculator for Onslow County (updated February 2026).
How Jacksonville Compares With the Rest of NC
Homes in Jacksonville cost about 20% less than the statewide typical value and far less than in Raleigh, Charlotte, or Wilmington, 50 miles down the coast. The income a household needs to cover basics is about 6% to 7% below the state figure. Rent is the exception. Because so many residents are renters on short military tours, rents run closer to Wilmington's than the home prices would suggest. For the statewide picture, see our North Carolina cost of living guide.
Who Lives Here
Jacksonville has about 73,000 residents inside city limits, and Onslow County has around 200,000. The population is young and turns over quickly, because many residents arrive on military orders and leave a few years later. That shapes almost everything else in this guide, from a large rental market to an economy weighted toward retail, restaurants, and services.
Monthly Cost of Living in Jacksonville
The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates what a household needs to cover basic expenses in Onslow County. It includes no savings, travel, or eating out, so treat it as a floor.
A Basic Monthly Budget
| Expense (per month) | Single Adult | Two Working Adults, Two Children |
|---|
| Housing | $934 | $1,179 |
| Food | $347 | $1,014 |
| Transportation | $782 | $1,311 |
| Medical | $279 | $933 |
| Child care | $0 | $1,397 |
| Internet and mobile | $135 | $183 |
| Civic and other | $554 | $1,279 |
| Total after taxes | $3,031 | $7,297 |
| Taxes | $610 | $995 |
| Income needed before taxes | $3,641 | $8,291 |
Figures are MIT's annual estimates for Onslow County divided by 12. The housing figure reflects a modest apartment, not the average rent.
What Income That Requires
A single adult needs $43,689 a year before taxes, or $21.00 an hour for full-time work. A family of four with two working parents needs $99,497, or $23.92 an hour for each parent. A single parent with one child needs $34.92 an hour, mostly because of child care. Transportation costs more here than the state average, because the city is spread out and has little public transit.
Where the Budget Gets Tight
The MIT housing figure assumes a modest unit. At Zillow's average rent of $1,395, a single adult's basic budget rises to about $3,490 a month after taxes. The average Jacksonville job pays about $51,170 a year at $24.60 an hour, which leaves a single filer about $41,760 after taxes, or $3,480 a month. That is enough to live on, but with little room to save at average rents. To check your own take-home pay, use the NC paycheck calculator.
Housing Costs in Jacksonville
Housing is where Jacksonville stands out from the rest of coastal North Carolina, and it is the main reason people choose to buy here.
Home Prices
Zillow's typical home value for Jacksonville was $264,857 in June 2026, up 3.5% over the year. Homes go under contract in about two weeks on average. That is roughly 25% less than Wilmington's typical value of about $355,000 and 40% less than Raleigh's $436,000. Steady demand from military families keeps prices from falling much, and the frequent turnover means there is usually inventory. Our NC home affordability guide shows what income it takes to buy at these prices, and the NC first-time homebuyer programs guide covers down payment help.
Renting
Average rent was $1,395 a month in mid-2026, up 2.8% over the year. Rents are high relative to home prices because the rental market is set partly by military housing allowances, which many landlords price against. For buyers who expect to stay several years, that makes owning comparatively attractive. For short stays, renting avoids the cost of buying and selling.
Property Taxes
Onslow County's rate is 65.5 cents per $100 of assessed value, and the City of Jacksonville adds 63 cents, for a combined $1.285 per $100 inside city limits. Outside the city you pay the county rate plus any fire district charge. The county completed a new revaluation in 2026, but under a 2026 state law, Onslow County and its towns are still taxing on 2022 assessed values for the current fiscal year. Because those values are below today's market prices, the share of a home's market value paid in tax each year is lower than the combined rate suggests. Bills may change once the newer values take effect. See our NC property tax rates by county guide.
Jobs and Wages in Jacksonville
Jacksonville's wages are among the lowest of any metro area in North Carolina, and the reasons are structural.
What Jobs Pay
Workers in the Jacksonville metro earned an average of $24.60 an hour in May 2025, compared with $33.54 nationally. All 21 major job groups with published data paid below the national average.
| Job Group | Jacksonville Average | National Average |
|---|
| Management | $50.56/hr | $69.84/hr |
| Healthcare practitioners | $44.24/hr | $52.26/hr |
| Computer and mathematical | $44.04/hr | $57.73/hr |
| Business and financial | $37.04/hr | $45.78/hr |
| Construction | $24.73/hr | $31.42/hr |
| Education | $22.75/hr | $32.47/hr |
| Office and administrative | $20.52/hr | $24.79/hr |
| Sales | $18.66/hr | $26.43/hr |
| Food preparation and serving | $14.50/hr | $17.86/hr |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025.
Why Wages Are Low
Restaurant and food service jobs make up 15.4% of local employment, nearly twice the national share, and sales jobs another 11%. Those are low-paying fields almost everywhere. Many military spouses also compete for a limited number of local jobs, which holds wages down. The biggest employer, the military itself, does not show up in these civilian wage figures at all.
Where the Better-Paying Jobs Are
The strongest civilian pay is in healthcare, management, technology, and federal civilian and contractor roles connected to the bases. Remote work has also changed the picture for military spouses and veterans who can bring a salary from elsewhere and pay Jacksonville prices. For pay in specific fields, see our NC nurse salary guide, NC teacher salary guide, and guide to high-paying NC jobs that don't require a degree.
Military Families: Housing Allowance and Taxes
For service members, the cost of living works differently, because a large part of their income is a tax-free housing allowance.
Basic Allowance for Housing at Camp Lejeune
| Pay Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|
| E-4 | $1,578 | $1,323 |
| E-5 | $1,584 | $1,476 |
| E-6 | $1,944 | $1,569 |
| O-3 | $2,085 | $1,809 |
Monthly 2026 rates as published by BAH calculators using Defense Department data. Confirm your rate with the Defense Travel Management Office calculator before signing a lease.
An E-5 with dependents receives $1,584 a month, enough to cover the average rent with some left over. That is why many military families find Jacksonville comfortable even on enlisted pay.
How North Carolina Taxes Military Pay
The housing allowance is not taxed by the federal government or by North Carolina. Whether your base pay is taxed by North Carolina depends on your legal residence, not where you are stationed. Service members whose home of record is another state generally do not owe North Carolina tax on their military pay while stationed here. Those who are North Carolina residents do. Military spouses can often keep the same state of residence as the service member. Our NC military pay tax guide explains the rules in detail.
Retiring Near the Base
Many service members retire in Jacksonville. North Carolina exempts military retirement pay from state income tax for retirees with at least 20 years of service or a medical retirement, and it does not tax Social Security. Combined with low home prices and access to base services, that makes the area popular with military retirees. See our guide to retiring in North Carolina.
Everyday Costs: Transportation, Utilities, and Taxes
Outside housing, most costs in Jacksonville are close to the North Carolina average.
Getting Around
Jacksonville is built for driving. The city is spread out along US 17 and NC 24, and public transit is limited, which is why transportation is one of the larger items in the budget above. Budget for a reliable vehicle and North Carolina's annual vehicle property tax, which is billed with your registration. Wilmington is about an hour south and the Triangle is about two hours away.
Utilities and Insurance
Summers are long and humid, so electric bills peak with air conditioning. Coastal location also affects insurance. Homeowners insurance costs more in coastal counties because of hurricane risk, and homes in flood zones may need separate flood insurance, which standard policies do not cover. Get insurance quotes before you make an offer on a house, since they can change the monthly cost of owning noticeably.
Sales and Income Taxes
Jacksonville's sales tax is 7.0%, made up of the 4.75% state rate and a 2.25% Onslow County rate. Most groceries are taxed only at a 2% local rate. North Carolina's income tax is a flat 3.99% for 2026, falling to 3.49% in 2027, with no city income tax. Our NC income tax calculator shows what you would owe, and our moving to North Carolina tax guide covers your first year as a resident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jacksonville NC a cheap place to live?
For housing, yes. The typical home is worth about $265,000, roughly 20% below the North Carolina average and far below Wilmington or Raleigh. A single adult can cover basic expenses on about $43,700 a year. Rent is less of a bargain at about $1,395 a month, and local wages are low, so whether it feels affordable depends a lot on what you earn.
What salary do you need to live in Jacksonville NC?
A single adult needs about $43,700 a year before taxes to cover basics, and a family of four with two working parents needs about $99,500. To live comfortably while renting at average prices and saving something each month, a single adult should plan on $50,000 to $60,000. Military families' needs depend heavily on the tax-free housing allowance.
Is Jacksonville cheaper than Wilmington?
Yes, especially for buyers. Jacksonville's typical home value of about $265,000 is roughly a quarter below Wilmington's. Rents are closer, because Jacksonville's large rental market is shaped by military housing allowances. Wilmington offers more civilian jobs and higher pay in some fields. Our Wilmington cost of living guide has the comparison.
Do Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune pay North Carolina income tax?
Only if North Carolina is their legal state of residence. Service members who keep a home of record in another state generally do not owe NC tax on their military pay while stationed here, and the housing allowance is tax-free in any case. Income from a civilian job in North Carolina is taxed by the state regardless of where you are a resident. For another military town's costs, see our Fayetteville cost of living guide.
