Kure Beach, NC vs St. James, NC

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Kure Beach is 15.9% cheaper than St. James. With a cost index of 127 vs 151, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Kure Beach to St. James should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Kure Beach is $1,373/month compared to $2,258/month in St. James — a 39% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Kure Beach has cheaper rent, St. James actually has lower median home values ($599,300 vs $633,800).

Median household income in Kure Beach is $102,292 compared to $113,670 in St. James (-10%). The higher salaries in St. James partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Kure Beach spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, less than the 23.8% in St. James.