Garner, NC vs Southern Pines, NC

Garner, NC and Southern Pines, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.4% difference in their overall index. Garner scores 105 while Southern Pines scores 103 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 Garner is $1,452/month compared to $1,215/month in Southern Pines — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Southern Pines has cheaper rent, Garner actually has lower median home values ($320,300 vs $416,300).

Median household income in Garner is $77,496 compared to $83,681 in Southern Pines (-7.4%). Southern Pines offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Garner spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, more than the 17.4% in Southern Pines.