Leland, NC vs Oak Island, NC

Oak Island is moderately more affordable than Leland, with a 7.7% lower cost of living index. Leland scores 111 compared to 103 for Oak Island, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Leland can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Leland is $1,603/month compared to $1,208/month in Oak Island — a 33% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Oak Island has cheaper rent, Leland actually has lower median home values ($358,800 vs $407,400).

Median household income in Leland is $88,576 compared to $83,483 in Oak Island (+6.1%). The higher salaries in Leland partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Leland spend roughly 21.7% of their income on rent, more than the 17.4% in Oak Island.