Myrtle Grove, NC vs Sunset Beach, NC

The cost of living difference between Myrtle Grove, NC and Sunset Beach, NC is dramatic. Sunset Beach is 42.4% cheaper than Myrtle Grove, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Myrtle Grove has a cost index of 112 while Sunset Beach sits at 79, 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 Myrtle Grove is $1,523/month compared to $541/month in Sunset Beach — a 182% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sunset Beach is more affordable at $354,300 median vs $398,600.

Median household income in Myrtle Grove is $112,139 compared to $84,934 in Sunset Beach (+32%). The higher salaries in Myrtle Grove partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Myrtle Grove spend roughly 16.3% of their income on rent, more than the 7.6% in Sunset Beach.