Cost of Living in Carolina Beach, NC

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D+
22%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
75%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Carolina Beach North Carolina National
Cost of living12296100
Groceries99100100
Health care9899100
Housing17588100
Transportation9899100
Utilities9999100
Lifestyle & Entertainment98100100
Household Items102100100
Education & Childcare99100100
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Homes For Sale In Carolina Beach, NC

property for sale

908 Carolina Beach Ave N Unit 2A

Carolina Beach, NC
property for sale

803 North Carolina Ave

Carolina Beach, NC
property for sale

1507 Carolina Beach Ave N #1

Carolina Beach, NC
property for sale

403 South Carolina Ave

Carolina Beach, NC

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Carolina Beach is 27% higher than the North Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Carolina Beach is 22% higher than the national average
  • Carolina Beach housing is 75% higher than the national average
  • North Carolina general sales tax is 7% lower than the national average
  • North Carolina state income tax is 83% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Carolina Beach

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$130,281$10,857$3,040$3,909
      Renters$60,830$5,069$1,419$1,825
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Carolina Beach, NC, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Carolina Beach, the median monthly income is $130,281 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $3,040 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $60,830, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,419 on monthly rental expenses.

      North Carolina Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      North Carolina 4.75% 7.5%

      North Carolina Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      North Carolina 4.75% 4.75%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Navassa, NC2,197946.0%
      Silver Lake, NC6,355990.7%
      Boiling Spring Lakes, NC6,3351000.2%
      Belville, NC2,7981033.4%
      Southport, NC3,9791099.1%
      Carolina Beach, NC6,47212221.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Walkersville, MD6,47212827.5%
      Carmel Hamlet, NY6,47012423.6%
      Blue Bell, PA6,47414444.4%
      Rockford, MI6,4641032.8%
      East Kootenay C, BC6,463n/a 
      Carolina Beach, NC6,47212221.7%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
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