Kinston, NC vs St. James, NC

The cost of living difference between Kinston, NC and St. James, NC is dramatic. Kinston is 55.8% cheaper than St. James, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Kinston has a cost index of 67 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 Kinston is $822/month compared to $2,258/month in St. James — a 64% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kinston is more affordable at $108,300 median vs $599,300.

Median household income in Kinston is $35,250 compared to $113,670 in St. James (-69%). 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 Kinston spend roughly 28% of their income on rent, more than the 23.8% in St. James.