Cost of Living in Topsail Beach, NC

With a cost of living index of 122, Topsail Beach, NC is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 22% more expensive than the national average and 37% above the North Carolina state average of 84. Topsail Beach is a small community of 444 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Topsail Beach's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,250 (5% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $630,500 (107% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 6.9x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Topsail Beach is $90,833, which is 21% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 17% 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 do not fully offset the higher cost of living.

Everyday prices in the Jacksonville, NC (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area are generally below the national average. Out of 6 common items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced lower than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

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.