Lexington, NC vs Mills River, NC

The cost of living difference between Lexington, NC and Mills River, NC is dramatic. Lexington is 36.1% cheaper than Mills River, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lexington has a cost index of 72 while Mills River sits at 112, 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 Lexington is $882/month compared to $1,611/month in Mills River — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lexington is more affordable at $158,100 median vs $358,500.

Median household income in Lexington is $41,775 compared to $88,359 in Mills River (-52.7%). While Mills River is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lexington spend roughly 25.3% of their income on rent, more than the 21.9% in Mills River.