Smithfield, NC vs Sunset Beach, NC

Smithfield is moderately more affordable than Sunset Beach, with a 10.7% lower cost of living index. Smithfield scores 70 compared to 79 for Sunset Beach, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Sunset Beach can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Smithfield is $601/month compared to $541/month in Sunset Beach — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Sunset Beach has cheaper rent, Smithfield actually has lower median home values ($217,000 vs $354,300).

Median household income in Smithfield is $37,827 compared to $84,934 in Sunset Beach (-55.5%). While Sunset Beach is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Smithfield spend roughly 19.1% of their income on rent, more than the 7.6% in Sunset Beach.