Cost of Living in Pine Knoll Shores, NC

With a cost of living index of 135, Pine Knoll Shores, NC is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 35% more expensive than the national average and 51% above the North Carolina state average of 84. Pine Knoll Shores is a small community of 1,387 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Pine Knoll Shores's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,792 (36% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $583,900 (92% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 5.4x the median household income — a stretch for many buyers, though not uncommon in today's market.

The median household income in Pine Knoll Shores is $108,393, which is 44% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 20% 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.