Nags Head, NC vs Oak Island, NC

Nags Head, NC and Oak Island, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. Nags Head scores 100 while Oak Island scores 103 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Nags Head is $1,005/month compared to $1,208/month in Oak Island — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Nags Head has cheaper rent, Oak Island actually has lower median home values ($407,400 vs $451,100).

Median household income in Nags Head is $87,619 compared to $83,483 in Oak Island (+5%). Nags Head offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Nags Head spend roughly 13.8% of their income on rent, less than the 17.4% in Oak Island.