Castle Hayne, NC vs Pembroke, NC

The cost of living difference between Castle Hayne, NC and Pembroke, NC is dramatic. Pembroke is 37.5% cheaper than Castle Hayne, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Castle Hayne has a cost index of 87 while Pembroke sits at 64, 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 Castle Hayne is $897/month compared to $700/month in Pembroke — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pembroke is more affordable at $114,700 median vs $326,700.

Median household income in Castle Hayne is $69,729 compared to $22,940 in Pembroke (+204%). While Castle Hayne is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Castle Hayne spend roughly 15.4% of their income on rent, less than the 36.6% in Pembroke. The Castle Hayne ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.