Forest City, NC vs Haw River, NC

Forest City, NC and Haw River, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. Forest City scores 69 while Haw River scores 71 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 Forest City is $815/month compared to $870/month in Haw River — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Forest City is more affordable at $142,100 median vs $142,200.

Median household income in Forest City is $35,897 compared to $67,366 in Haw River (-46.7%). While Haw River is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Forest City spend roughly 27.2% of their income on rent, more than the 15.5% in Haw River.