Burlington, NC vs New Bern, NC

Burlington, NC and New Bern, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Burlington scores 79 while New Bern scores 83 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 Burlington is $1,030/month compared to $1,068/month in New Bern — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Burlington is more affordable at $188,700 median vs $211,500.

Median household income in Burlington is $54,941 compared to $56,893 in New Bern (-3.4%). The higher salaries in New Bern partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Burlington spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, less than the 22.5% in New Bern.