Oak Island, NC vs Red Springs, NC

The cost of living difference between Oak Island, NC and Red Springs, NC is dramatic. Red Springs is 77.1% cheaper than Oak Island, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Oak Island has a cost index of 103 while Red Springs sits at 58, 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 Oak Island is $1,208/month compared to $635/month in Red Springs — a 90% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Red Springs is more affordable at $85,400 median vs $407,400.

Median household income in Oak Island is $83,483 compared to $19,752 in Red Springs (+322.7%). While Oak Island is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Oak Island spend roughly 17.4% of their income on rent, less than the 38.6% in Red Springs. The Oak Island ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.