THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, January 26, 1996               TAG: 9601260536
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA  
DATELINE: DARE COUNTY                        LENGTH: Short :   36 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: ***************************************************************** The cost-of-living index in Dare County is 102, just over the national average of 100. A story Friday incorrectly listed Dare's index at 112. Correction published Sunday, January 28, 1996, page B3, North Carolina ed. ***************************************************************** DARE COST OF LIVING ABOVE NATIONAL AVERAGE AGAIN

The cost of living in Dare County was 2 percentage points higher than the national average for the third quarter of '95, but it's several points lower than last year, according to a recent report by the American Chamber of Commerce Research Association.

Although Dare County's cost-of-living index was 112, it didn't look too bad when compared to that of New York City, which led the nation with a whopping 221.1. San Francisco came in second, at 160.2.

The ACCRA report is based on data collected quarterly by chambers of commerce and economic development organizations, and reflects consumer costs for groceries, housing, health care, transportation, utilities and miscellaneous goods and services.

The Hampton Roads/Southeast Virginia region reported an index of 98.2; Richmond, 105; Raleigh-Durham, 97.4; Wilmington, 100.6; Goldsboro, 100.8; and Asheville, 102.5. Last year, the Dare County figure was 105.4. by CNB