New Bern, NC vs Smithfield, NC

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Smithfield is 17.3% cheaper than New Bern. With a cost index of 70 vs 83, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Smithfield to New Bern should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in New Bern is $1,068/month compared to $601/month in Smithfield — a 78% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Smithfield has cheaper rent, New Bern actually has lower median home values ($211,500 vs $217,000).

Median household income in New Bern is $56,893 compared to $37,827 in Smithfield (+50.4%). While New Bern is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of New Bern spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, more than the 19.1% in Smithfield.