Jacksonville, NC vs New Bern, NC

Jacksonville, NC and New Bern, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.4% difference in their overall index. Jacksonville scores 86 while New Bern scores 83 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 Jacksonville is $1,268/month compared to $1,068/month in New Bern — a 19% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while New Bern has cheaper rent, Jacksonville actually has lower median home values ($191,700 vs $211,500).

Median household income in Jacksonville is $54,069 compared to $56,893 in New Bern (-5%). New Bern offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Jacksonville spend roughly 28.1% of their income on rent, more than the 22.5% in New Bern.