North Topsail Beach, NC vs Pine Level, NC

The cost of living difference between North Topsail Beach, NC and Pine Level, NC is dramatic. Pine Level is 32.3% cheaper than North Topsail Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. North Topsail Beach has a cost index of 106 while Pine Level sits at 80, 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 North Topsail Beach is $1,208/month compared to $888/month in Pine Level — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pine Level is more affordable at $228,000 median vs $453,500.

Median household income in North Topsail Beach is $106,818 compared to $72,663 in Pine Level (+47%). While North Topsail Beach is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of North Topsail Beach spend roughly 13.6% of their income on rent, less than the 14.7% in Pine Level.