Pembroke, NC vs Rowland, NC

Pembroke, NC and Rowland, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Pembroke scores 64 while Rowland scores 63 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 Pembroke is $700/month compared to $702/month in Rowland — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Pembroke has cheaper rent, Rowland actually has lower median home values ($108,700 vs $114,700).

Median household income in Pembroke is $22,940 compared to $31,667 in Rowland (-27.6%). Rowland offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Pembroke spend roughly 36.6% of their income on rent, more than the 26.6% in Rowland. The Rowland ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.