Highlands, NC vs Kitty Hawk, NC

Highlands, NC and Kitty Hawk, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.1% difference in their overall index. Highlands scores 115 while Kitty Hawk scores 115 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 Highlands is $905/month compared to $1,366/month in Kitty Hawk — a 34% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Highlands has cheaper rent, Kitty Hawk actually has lower median home values ($494,200 vs $666,300).

Median household income in Highlands is $63,750 compared to $88,811 in Kitty Hawk (-28.2%). Kitty Hawk offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Highlands spend roughly 17% of their income on rent, less than the 18.5% in Kitty Hawk.