Elon, NC vs Swansboro, NC

Swansboro is moderately more affordable than Elon, with a 6.3% lower cost of living index. Elon scores 110 compared to 103 for Swansboro, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Elon can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Elon is $1,584/month compared to $1,380/month in Swansboro — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Swansboro has cheaper rent, Elon actually has lower median home values ($355,800 vs $356,900).

Median household income in Elon is $82,717 compared to $112,382 in Swansboro (-26.4%). Swansboro offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Elon spend roughly 23% of their income on rent, more than the 14.7% in Swansboro.