Hot Springs, NC vs Star, NC

Star is moderately more affordable than Hot Springs, with a 7.3% lower cost of living index. Hot Springs scores 64 compared to 60 for Star, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hot Springs can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hot Springs is $488/month compared to $547/month in Star — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hot Springs has cheaper rent, Star actually has lower median home values ($131,600 vs $184,900).

Median household income in Hot Springs is $39,167 compared to $37,135 in Star (+5.5%). The higher salaries in Hot Springs partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hot Springs spend roughly 15% of their income on rent, less than the 17.7% in Star.