Belhaven, NC vs Hot Springs, NC

Belhaven, NC and Hot Springs, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Belhaven scores 67 while Hot Springs scores 64 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 Belhaven is $859/month compared to $488/month in Hot Springs — a 76% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hot Springs has cheaper rent, Belhaven actually has lower median home values ($98,200 vs $184,900).

Median household income in Belhaven is $33,958 compared to $39,167 in Hot Springs (-13.3%). Hot Springs offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Belhaven spend roughly 30.4% of their income on rent, more than the 15% in Hot Springs. The Hot Springs ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.