Atlantic Beach, NC vs St. Helena, NC

Atlantic Beach, NC and St. Helena, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Atlantic Beach scores 101 while St. Helena scores 101 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Atlantic Beach is $995/month compared to $1,661/month in St. Helena — a 40% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Atlantic Beach has cheaper rent, St. Helena actually has lower median home values ($209,200 vs $466,400).

Median household income in Atlantic Beach is $58,056 compared to $77,000 in St. Helena (-24.6%). St. Helena offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Atlantic Beach spend roughly 20.6% of their income on rent, less than the 25.9% in St. Helena.