Lexington, NC vs St. James, NC

The cost of living difference between Lexington, NC and St. James, NC is dramatic. Lexington is 52.5% cheaper than St. James, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lexington has a cost index of 72 while St. James sits at 151, 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 $2,258/month in St. James — a 61% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lexington is more affordable at $158,100 median vs $599,300.

Median household income in Lexington is $41,775 compared to $113,670 in St. James (-63.2%). While St. James 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 23.8% in St. James.