NC House Bill 353: A Wage Increase That Still Falls Short

North Carolina --  As the cost of living in North Carolina continues to rise, lawmakers have introduced House Bill 353 to gradually raise the

state's minimum wage.

While this measure aims to improve wages for thousands of workers, an in-depth analysis shows that even at its highest proposed rate, the bill fails to provide a true living wage for many North Carolinians.

Overview of House Bill 353

Filed in March 2025, House Bill 353 seeks to increase North Carolina’s minimum wage from its current level of $7.25 per hour, which has remained unchanged since 2008. The proposed wage increases are as follows:

January 1, 2026: $10.00/hour

January 1, 2027: $12.00/hour

January 1, 2028: $14.00/hour

January 1, 2029: $16.00/hour

January 1, 2030: $18.00/hour

Beyond 2030: Annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI)

While these increases may seem significant, they must be compared against the actual cost of living in Western North Carolina, one of the fastest-growing and increasingly expensive regions in the state.

Cost of Living Breakdown: Western North Carolina

To determine if House Bill 353 will provide a livable wage, we must compare it to real-world expenses in 2025.

1. Housing Costs

Average Rent (Asheville, NC): $1,734/month (RentCafe)

Average Home Price (Asheville, NC): $389,777 (SoFi)

Even with an $18.00/hour wage in 2030, a full-time worker earning this rate would barely afford rent in major cities like Asheville without assistance or multiple roommates.

2. Utilities and Transportation

Utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet): $371/month (SoFi)

Transportation (gas, car expenses, public transit): $456/month (SoFi)

Gas Prices (2025): ~$3.00/gallon (AAA Gas Prices)

These expenses alone consume a substantial portion of take-home pay, making it difficult to save or cover emergencies.

3. Food Costs

USDA Monthly Grocery Estimates (2025): (USDA Food Plans)

Thrifty Plan (bare minimum): $340/month

Low-Cost Plan: $450/month

Moderate Plan: $560/month

Liberal Plan: $720+/month

A realistic grocery budget for a single adult in Western NC is $450–$600 per month—far more than outdated estimates suggest.

4. Health Insurance & Medical Costs

Employer-Based Insurance Contribution (Avg): $598/month (KFF)

Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses: ~$200/month (KFF)

Uninsured Medical Costs: Significantly higher, often exceeding $1,000 per hospital visit (NC Hospital Price Transparency Report)

Healthcare remains a major expense, often requiring workers to sacrifice other necessities or rely on government aid.

How the Proposed Minimum Wage Falls Short

Let's compare income under HB 353 to actual living costs:

At $16.50/hour (current living wage estimate), a full-time worker earns $2,860/month before taxes, barely covering rent, food, and utilities.

At $18.00/hour (2030 wage), monthly earnings will be ~$3,120 before taxes, but cost of living will have increased by then, making this still insufficient.

For a single parent with one child, a true living wage is currently ~$33/hour. By 2030, it will be much higher.

Conclusion: A Step Forward, But Not Enough

While House Bill 353 makes progress, it still does not ensure financial stability for workers in North Carolina. Given the rising costs of housing, healthcare, food, and transportation, even the highest proposed wage of $18.00 per hour in 2030 will not be enough to provide economic security, especially for families.

For real wage reform, lawmakers must consider:

Stronger cost-of-living adjustments

Affordable housing solutions

Healthcare cost reductions

Regional wage adjustments for high-cost cities like Asheville

Without these measures, thousands of North Carolinians will continue to struggle to make ends meet—even with the proposed higher minimum wage.

Note: All figures are approximate and subject to change based on individual circumstances and evolving economic conditions.

Sources: 

RentCafe

SoFi

AAA Gas Prices

USDA Food Plan

KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation

NC Hospital Price Transparency Report:

WNCTimes

Image: WNCTimes