Raeford, NC vs Smithfield, NC

Raeford, NC and Smithfield, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.4% difference in their overall index. Raeford scores 71 while Smithfield scores 70 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 Raeford is $791/month compared to $601/month in Smithfield — a 32% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Smithfield has cheaper rent, Raeford actually has lower median home values ($177,900 vs $217,000).

Median household income in Raeford is $43,311 compared to $37,827 in Smithfield (+14.5%). While Raeford is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Raeford spend roughly 21.9% of their income on rent, more than the 19.1% in Smithfield.