Elon, NC vs Southport, NC

Elon, NC and Southport, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.5% difference in their overall index. Elon scores 110 while Southport scores 110 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 Elon is $1,584/month compared to $1,468/month in Southport — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Southport has cheaper rent, Elon actually has lower median home values ($355,800 vs $394,900).

Median household income in Elon is $82,717 compared to $82,792 in Southport (-0.1%). Southport does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Elon spend roughly 23% of their income on rent, more than the 21.3% in Southport.