Elizabeth City, NC vs Salisbury, NC

Elizabeth City, NC and Salisbury, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. Elizabeth City scores 84 while Salisbury scores 83 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 Elizabeth City is $1,111/month compared to $1,030/month in Salisbury — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Salisbury has cheaper rent, Elizabeth City actually has lower median home values ($202,100 vs $215,200).

Median household income in Elizabeth City is $50,947 compared to $51,058 in Salisbury (-0.2%). Salisbury offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Elizabeth City spend roughly 26.2% of their income on rent, more than the 24.2% in Salisbury.