Magnolia, NC vs Plymouth, NC

Magnolia is moderately more affordable than Plymouth, with a 14.9% lower cost of living index. Magnolia scores 55 compared to 65 for Plymouth, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Plymouth can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Magnolia is $521/month compared to $819/month in Plymouth — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Magnolia is more affordable at $76,900 median vs $83,900.

Median household income in Magnolia is $40,156 compared to $30,462 in Plymouth (+31.8%). Magnolia offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Magnolia spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, less than the 32.3% in Plymouth. The Magnolia ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.