Quality of life comparison
If you lived in New York instead of North Carolina, you would:
Health
live 1.6 years longer
In North Carolina, the average life expectancy is 76 years (75 years for men, 80 years for women) as of 2020. In New York, that number is 78 years (78 years for men, 83 years for women) as of 2020.
be 11.0% less likely to be obese
In North Carolina, 33.6% of adults are obese as of 2022. In New York, that number is 29.9% of people as of 2022.
Economy
make 55.1% more money
North Carolina has a GDP per capita of $59,308 as of 2024, while in New York, the GDP per capita is $91,992 as of 2024.
be 29.4% more likely to be unemployed
In North Carolina, 3.4% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In New York, that number is 4.4% as of 2025.
Safety
be 11.9% less likely to be a victim of property crime
North Carolina has a property crime rate of 1,998 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In New York, that number is 1,760 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
earn 21.0% more money
The median household income in North Carolina is $69,904 as of 2023, while in New York, it is $84,578 as of 2023.
pay 55.4% more for a home
The median home value in North Carolina is $259,400 as of 2023, compared to $403,000 in New York as of 2023.
pay 35.6% more in rent
The median monthly gross rent in North Carolina is $1,162 as of 2023, while in New York, it is $1,576 as of 2023.
be 18.2% less likely to own your home
In North Carolina, 66.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied as of 2023. In New York, that number is 54.3% as of 2023.
Lifestyle
be 47.9% less likely to be uninsured
In North Carolina, 9.6% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In New York, that number is 5.0% as of 2023.
be 12.3% less likely to smoke
In North Carolina, 14.6% of adults smoke as of 2022. In New York, that number is 12.8% as of 2022.
be 23.1% more likely to have a bachelor's degree
In North Carolina, 22.5% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2023. In New York, that number is 27.7% as of 2023.
be 89.6% more likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In North Carolina, 4.8% of the population was born outside the US as of 2023. In New York, that number is 9.1% as of 2023.
commute 7.7 minutes longer
The average one-way commute in North Carolina takes 25.1 minutes as of 2023. In New York, it takes 32.8 minutes as of 2023.
be 13.1% more likely to be physically inactive
In North Carolina, 22.2% of adults are physically inactive as of 2022. In New York, that number is 25.1% as of 2022.
live in an area that is 87.2% more densely populated
North Carolina has a population density of 86.2 people per sq km as of 2023. In New York, that number is 161.4 people per sq km as of 2023.
The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: OECD Regional Demography, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
