Carolina Beach, NC vs Icard, NC

The cost of living difference between Carolina Beach, NC and Icard, NC is dramatic. Icard is 76.6% 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 Icard sits at 68, 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 $844/month in Icard — a 83% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Icard is more affordable at $136,600 median vs $487,800.

Median household income in Carolina Beach is $88,239 compared to $47,825 in Icard (+84.5%). While Carolina Beach is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Carolina Beach spend roughly 21% of their income on rent, less than the 21.2% in Icard.