| Index | Wilmington | North Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 109 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 134 | 88 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 99 | 100 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Wilmington can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Wilmington cost of living index is 109, which is 9% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
In Wilmington, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Wilmington will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
When it comes to the cost of living in Wilmington, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 33.8% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 21 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Wilmington and this is how they responded. 29% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 71% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Wilmington an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Wilmington is 45.4% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 6.5% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Wilmington has a median household income of $75,615, which is 7% lower than the national average.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Wilmington, the housing index comes in at 33.8% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Wilmington, the groceries index is 0.8% lower than the national average.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Wilmington, the transportation index is 2.1% lower than the national average.
The Wilmington cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $122,113 | $10,176 | $2,849 | $3,664 |
| Renters | $50,260 | $4,188 | $1,173 | $1,508 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | 7.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | 4.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Blue Clay Farms, NC | 53 | 99 | 1.3% |
| Northwest, NC | 806 | 87 | 12.7% |
| Sandy Creek, NC | 219 | 90 | 9.6% |
| Navassa, NC | 2,197 | 94 | 6.0% |
| Wrightsboro, NC | 4,976 | 96 | 4.1% |
| Wilmington, NC | 125,049 | 109 | 9.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| East Los Angeles, CA | 124,794 | 145 | 45.3% |
| Hartford, CT | 125,397 | 106 | 5.6% |
| Columbia, MO | 125,431 | 100 | 0.1% |
| Odessa, TX | 125,590 | 98 | 1.7% |
| Vallejo, CA | 124,444 | 144 | 43.6% |
| Wilmington, NC | 125,049 | 109 | 9.2% |
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