Cost of Living in Surf City, NC

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C
16%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
51%
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 Surf City North Carolina National
Cost of living11696100
Groceries102100100
Health care10199100
Housing15188100
Transportation10299100
Utilities10199100
Lifestyle & Entertainment101100100
Household Items100100100
Education & Childcare100100100
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Homes For Sale In Surf City, NC

property for sale

1207 S Topsail Dr

Surf City, NC
property for sale

3055 3rd St

Surf City, NC
property for sale

221 Lazy Day Dr

Surf City, NC
property for sale

208 Airlie Vista Ln

Surf City, NC

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Surf City is 21% higher than the North Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Surf City is 16% higher than the national average
  • Surf City housing is 51% 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 Surf City

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Compare Surf City, NC Cost of Living

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      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
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      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$123,446$10,287$2,880$3,704
      Renters$90,452$7,538$2,110$2,714

      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.
      Sneads Ferry, NC2,410990.9%
      Holly Ridge, NC2,7411098.7%
      Hampstead, NC7,09811211.7%
      North Topsail Beach, NC88311514.8%
      Ogden, NC9,35912120.5%
      Surf City, NC3,26111615.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Nyssa, OR3,2618911.3%
      Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez, QC3,261n/a 
      Bifrost-Riverton, MB3,261n/a 
      Marion, AL3,2608317.1%
      New Baden, IL3,260946.0%
      Surf City, NC3,26111615.8%
      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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