Fairmont, NC vs St. James, NC

The cost of living difference between Fairmont, NC and St. James, NC is dramatic. Fairmont is 60.1% cheaper than St. James, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairmont has a cost index of 60 while St. James sits at 151, 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 Fairmont is $662/month compared to $2,258/month in St. James — a 71% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairmont is more affordable at $88,500 median vs $599,300.

Median household income in Fairmont is $36,493 compared to $113,670 in St. James (-67.9%). While St. James is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairmont spend roughly 21.8% of their income on rent, less than the 23.8% in St. James.