Carolina Beach, NC vs Four Oaks, NC

The cost of living difference between Carolina Beach, NC and Four Oaks, NC is dramatic. Four Oaks is 40% cheaper than Carolina Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Carolina Beach has a cost index of 120 while Four Oaks sits at 86, 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 Carolina Beach is $1,544/month compared to $1,096/month in Four Oaks — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Four Oaks is more affordable at $222,100 median vs $487,800.

Median household income in Carolina Beach is $88,239 compared to $69,974 in Four Oaks (+26.1%). The higher salaries in Carolina Beach partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Carolina Beach spend roughly 21% of their income on rent, more than the 18.8% in Four Oaks.