Kenly, NC vs St. James, NC

The cost of living difference between Kenly, NC and St. James, NC is dramatic. Kenly is 51.6% cheaper than St. James, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Kenly has a cost index of 73 while St. James sits at 151, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Kenly is $780/month compared to $2,258/month in St. James — a 66% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kenly is more affordable at $183,300 median vs $599,300.

Median household income in Kenly is $46,229 compared to $113,670 in St. James (-59.3%). While St. James is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Kenly spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, less than the 23.8% in St. James.