Carrboro, NC vs St. Stephens, NC

The cost of living difference between Carrboro, NC and St. Stephens, NC is dramatic. St. Stephens is 59.5% cheaper than Carrboro, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Carrboro has a cost index of 116 while St. Stephens sits at 73, 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 Carrboro is $1,337/month compared to $864/month in St. Stephens — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Stephens is more affordable at $187,500 median vs $507,100.

Median household income in Carrboro is $85,927 compared to $57,882 in St. Stephens (+48.5%). The higher salaries in Carrboro partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Carrboro spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, more than the 17.9% in St. Stephens.