Boone, NC vs Brevard, NC

Boone, NC and Brevard, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. Boone scores 96 while Brevard scores 93 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 Boone is $1,080/month compared to $878/month in Brevard — a 23% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Brevard has cheaper rent, Boone actually has lower median home values ($373,600 vs $411,000).

Median household income in Boone is $28,633 compared to $44,356 in Brevard (-35.4%). Brevard offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Boone spend roughly 45.3% of their income on rent, more than the 23.8% in Brevard. The Brevard ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.