Carrboro, NC vs Mills River, NC

Carrboro, NC and Mills River, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Carrboro scores 116 while Mills River scores 112 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 Carrboro is $1,337/month compared to $1,611/month in Mills River — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Carrboro has cheaper rent, Mills River actually has lower median home values ($358,500 vs $507,100).

Median household income in Carrboro is $85,927 compared to $88,359 in Mills River (-2.8%). Mills River offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Carrboro spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, less than the 21.9% in Mills River.