Lexington, NC vs Oak Island, NC

The cost of living difference between Lexington, NC and Oak Island, NC is dramatic. Lexington is 30.6% cheaper than Oak Island, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lexington has a cost index of 72 while Oak Island sits at 103, 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 $1,208/month in Oak Island — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lexington is more affordable at $158,100 median vs $407,400.

Median household income in Lexington is $41,775 compared to $83,483 in Oak Island (-50%). While Oak Island 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 17.4% in Oak Island.