Buxton, NC vs Forest Oaks, NC

Buxton, NC and Forest Oaks, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Buxton scores 104 while Forest Oaks scores 109 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 Buxton is $1,295/month compared to $1,732/month in Forest Oaks — a 25% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Buxton has cheaper rent, Forest Oaks actually has lower median home values ($294,400 vs $385,400).

Median household income in Buxton is $67,054 compared to $108,250 in Forest Oaks (-38.1%). While Forest Oaks is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Buxton spend roughly 23.2% of their income on rent, more than the 19.2% in Forest Oaks.