Cost of Living in Duck, NC

With a cost of living index of 133, Duck, NC is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 33% more expensive than the national average and 49% above the North Carolina state average of 84. Duck is a small community of 662 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Duck's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,393 (6% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $705,700 (131% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 5.9x the median household income — a stretch for many buyers, though not uncommon in today's market.

The median household income in Duck is $118,750, which is 58% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 14% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they more than offset the higher cost of living.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.