salaryRent is higher than in 62% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.8 years of household income. It is a highly educated city: 55.2% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $75,080 a year. That is $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of North Carolina. It is number 122 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Matthews?
Share of households by yearly income. 44.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Matthews
| Size | Matthews | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,795 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,739 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,876 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,021 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,910 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Matthews overall?
Everyday prices in North Carolina overall are 6% below the U.S. average (index 94.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Matthews, so the North Carolina figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Matthews
Life in Matthews
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Matthews?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,211 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $445,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $44,510 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Matthews, NC?
Renting in Matthews costs a median of about $1,877 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Matthews?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $75,080 a year, or $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Matthews cheap or expensive?
Matthews is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.2% of the typical household income of $117,137. It ranks 122nd cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Matthews?
The median homeowner in Matthews pays $3,047 a year in property taxes, about 0.68% of the median home value.
Is Matthews more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in North Carolina are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Matthews?
The median home value in Matthews is $445,100, about 3.8 times the typical yearly household income.
30,577 people live in Matthews. Numbers are typical (middle) values.