Burlington, NC vs Carrboro, NC

The cost of living difference between Burlington, NC and Carrboro, NC is dramatic. Burlington is 31.8% cheaper than Carrboro, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Burlington has a cost index of 79 while Carrboro sits at 116, 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 Burlington is $1,030/month compared to $1,337/month in Carrboro — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Burlington is more affordable at $188,700 median vs $507,100.

Median household income in Burlington is $54,941 compared to $85,927 in Carrboro (-36.1%). While Carrboro is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Burlington spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18.7% in Carrboro.