| Index | Wilson | North Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 93 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 79 | 88 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 98 | 100 | 100 |

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Wilson? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Wilson stands at 93, making it 7% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Wilson are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Wilson can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 8 residents in Wilson to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 50% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 50% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Wilson 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 Wilson is 21.1% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 20.7% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Wilson has a median household income of $63,882, which is 21.5% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Wilson, the transportation index stands at 0.4% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Wilson starts at 4.75% and the income tax rates start at 4.75%.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Wilson, the housing index is 21% lower than the national average.
The Wilson cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $94,372 | $7,864 | $2,202 | $2,831 |
| Renters | $38,897 | $3,241 | $908 | $1,167 |
| 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. |
| Black Creek, NC | 956 | 84 | 15.5% |
| Stantonsburg, NC | 552 | 86 | 14.5% |
| Elm City, NC | 1,767 | 86 | 14.4% |
| Macclesfield, NC | 321 | 85 | 15.1% |
| Fremont, NC | 1,017 | 86 | 14.2% |
| Wilson, NC | 50,769 | 93 | 6.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cerritos, CA | 50,765 | 186 | 85.9% |
| Murray, UT | 50,780 | 117 | 17.2% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 50,810 | 87 | 12.6% |
| San Jacinto, CA | 50,682 | 122 | 21.9% |
| West Lafayette, IN | 50,904 | 103 | 2.8% |
| Wilson, NC | 50,769 | 93 | 6.9% |