Carolina Beach, NC vs Pinehurst, NC

Carolina Beach, NC and Pinehurst, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.9% difference in their overall index. Carolina Beach scores 120 while Pinehurst scores 121 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 Carolina Beach is $1,544/month compared to $1,790/month in Pinehurst — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carolina Beach has cheaper rent, Pinehurst actually has lower median home values ($423,300 vs $487,800).

Median household income in Carolina Beach is $88,239 compared to $104,955 in Pinehurst (-15.9%). While Pinehurst 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, more than the 20.5% in Pinehurst.