Red Oak, NC vs St. Stephens, NC

Red Oak, NC and St. Stephens, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.1% difference in their overall index. Red Oak scores 75 while St. Stephens scores 73 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 Red Oak is $818/month compared to $864/month in St. Stephens — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Red Oak has cheaper rent, St. Stephens actually has lower median home values ($187,500 vs $236,200).

Median household income in Red Oak is $81,464 compared to $57,882 in St. Stephens (+40.7%). While Red Oak is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Red Oak spend roughly 12% of their income on rent, less than the 17.9% in St. Stephens.