Leland, NC vs St. Stephens, NC

The cost of living difference between Leland, NC and St. Stephens, NC is dramatic. St. Stephens is 53% cheaper than Leland, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Leland has a cost index of 111 while St. Stephens sits at 73, 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 Leland is $1,603/month compared to $864/month in St. Stephens — a 86% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Stephens is more affordable at $187,500 median vs $358,800.

Median household income in Leland is $88,576 compared to $57,882 in St. Stephens (+53%). 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 17.9% in St. Stephens.