Monroe, NC vs Southern Pines, NC

Monroe is moderately more affordable than Southern Pines, with a 9.8% lower cost of living index. Monroe scores 93 compared to 103 for Southern Pines, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Southern Pines can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Monroe is $1,216/month compared to $1,215/month in Southern Pines — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Southern Pines has cheaper rent, Monroe actually has lower median home values ($270,600 vs $416,300).

Median household income in Monroe is $67,265 compared to $83,681 in Southern Pines (-19.6%). While Southern Pines is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Monroe spend roughly 21.7% of their income on rent, more than the 17.4% in Southern Pines.