For buyers eyeing the coast of South Eastern North Carolina in late 2025, the choice often boils down to two distinct island lifestyles: Wrightsville Beach and Oak Island.

Wrightsville Beach is the crown jewel—famous for its crystal-clear water, active social scene, and proximity to Wilmington. Oak Island is the quiet contender—famous for its south-facing beaches, family vibe, and (historically) lower price tag.

But in late 2025, the gap between these two markets has evolved. It’s no longer just "expensive" vs. "cheap." It’s about value vs. lifestyle. With major infrastructure projects reshaping both islands right now, here is the definitive comparison of where your money goes in each zip code.

1. The Price of Admission: Median Home Values

The most obvious difference is the entry fee.

Wrightsville Beach: The "exclusive" barrier remains high. As of late 2025, the median listing price hovers near $1.9 million, with closed sales often pushing $2.3 million. You are paying for scarcity; there is simply no land left to build.

Oak Island: The "attainable" dream. The median home price sits around $575,000.
The Value Proposition: For the price of a 2-bedroom condo in Wrightsville, you can often buy a 4-bedroom ocean-view home with a pool in Oak Island.

2. The Tax Reality: Rate vs. Bill

This is where the math gets interesting for 2025.

Wrightsville Beach (Low Rate, High Value):
The Town of Wrightsville Beach boasts one of the lowest municipal tax rates in the state—hovering between 5.3 and 9.2 cents per $100 of value for FY 2025-2026. Combined with New Hanover County’s 30.6 cent rate, your total rate is incredibly efficient (~40 cents).
The Catch: A low rate on a $2 million assessment is still a $8,000+ annual bill.

Oak Island (Higher Rate, Lower Value):
Oak Island’s combined rate is higher. You pay roughly 20 cents to the Town (including sand and fire taxes) plus 34.2 cents to Brunswick County, for a total of roughly 54.2 cents per $100.
The Win: Because the home values are lower, the check you write is smaller. A typical $575k home generates a total tax bill of roughly $3,100/year—less than half the carrying cost of its Wrightsville counterpart.

3. The 2025 "Dirt" Report: What’s Happening Outside?

If you buy in late 2025, you will see heavy equipment on both islands. Here is what you are investing in:

Oak Island (The Sand Project):
The News: A massive federal beach nourishment project kicks off in November 2025. Contractors are placing over 1.6 million cubic yards of sand to widen the strand and bolster the dune system.
Impact: This is a direct equity booster. A wider beach means better storm protection and higher property values for oceanfront owners.

Wrightsville Beach (The Water Project):
The News: The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) officially took over the town’s water and sewer systems in September 2025.
Impact: While less visible than sand, this is critical. Major work is beginning late this year to run new, resilient water mains under the Intracoastal Waterway. This secures the island’s long-term water supply and removes the burden of aging infrastructure from the town’s budget.

4. The Lifestyle: Surfboards vs. Fishing Poles

Choose Wrightsville If: You want energy. You want to wake up, run "The Loop" (the famous 2.5-mile fitness trail), surf before work, and walk to a high-end dinner at Oceanic or Tower 7. It is a "park your car and leave it" lifestyle.

Choose Oak Island If: You want to exhale. The vibe here is "golf cart and fishing pole." With two piers (Ocean Crest and Oak Island Pier) and a direct south-facing beach (hello, sunrises and sunsets over the water), it attracts families and retirees who want a quiet beach day without fighting for parking.

The Bottom Line

Oak Island is no longer just the "cheap alternative"; it is a distinct market offering a higher quality of life for those who prioritize space and quiet over status and proximity.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we help you run the total monthly numbers. We can show you a side-by-side comparison of a $600k home in Oak Island versus a $600k condo in Wrightsville (yes, they exist, but they are small!), factoring in the 2025 insurance and tax rates so you can see which island fits your budget.