Belhaven, NC vs Mount Olive, NC

Belhaven, NC and Mount Olive, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Belhaven scores 67 while Mount Olive scores 69 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 $916/month in Mount Olive — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Belhaven is more affordable at $98,200 median vs $117,200.

Median household income in Belhaven is $33,958 compared to $45,869 in Mount Olive (-26%). While Mount Olive is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Belhaven spend roughly 30.4% of their income on rent, more than the 24% in Mount Olive. The Mount Olive ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.