Pinehurst, NC vs St. James, NC

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Pinehurst is 19.7% cheaper than St. James. With a cost index of 121 vs 151, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Pinehurst to St. James should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Pinehurst is $1,790/month compared to $2,258/month in St. James — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pinehurst is more affordable at $423,300 median vs $599,300.

Median household income in Pinehurst is $104,955 compared to $113,670 in St. James (-7.7%). St. James does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Pinehurst spend roughly 20.5% of their income on rent, less than the 23.8% in St. James.