Elon, NC vs Surf City, NC

Elon, NC and Surf City, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Elon scores 110 while Surf City scores 114 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 $1,421/month in Surf City — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Surf City has cheaper rent, Elon actually has lower median home values ($355,800 vs $478,600).

Median household income in Elon is $82,717 compared to $84,833 in Surf City (-2.5%). The higher salaries in Surf City partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Elon spend roughly 23% of their income on rent, more than the 20.1% in Surf City.