Star, NC vs Surf City, NC

The cost of living difference between Star, NC and Surf City, NC is dramatic. Star is 47.8% cheaper than Surf City, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Star has a cost index of 60 while Surf City sits at 114, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Star is $547/month compared to $1,421/month in Surf City — a 62% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Star is more affordable at $131,600 median vs $478,600.

Median household income in Star is $37,135 compared to $84,833 in Surf City (-56.2%). While Surf City is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Star spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, less than the 20.1% in Surf City.