Belhaven, NC vs Southport, NC

The cost of living difference between Belhaven, NC and Southport, NC is dramatic. Belhaven is 39.2% cheaper than Southport, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Belhaven has a cost index of 67 while Southport sits at 110, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Belhaven is $859/month compared to $1,468/month in Southport — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Belhaven is more affordable at $98,200 median vs $394,900.

Median household income in Belhaven is $33,958 compared to $82,792 in Southport (-59%). While Southport 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 21.3% in Southport. The Southport ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.