Brunswick, NC vs Pembroke, NC

Brunswick, NC and Pembroke, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.5% difference in their overall index. Brunswick scores 63 while Pembroke 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 Brunswick is $773/month compared to $700/month in Pembroke — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Pembroke has cheaper rent, Brunswick actually has lower median home values ($83,900 vs $114,700).

Median household income in Brunswick is $28,542 compared to $22,940 in Pembroke (+24.4%). Brunswick offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Brunswick spend roughly 32.5% of their income on rent, less than the 36.6% in Pembroke. The Brunswick ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.