Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Arlington is 5% cheaper than Wilmington.

$1,389/mo ↑ 6%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 6%
$73,519/yr ↑ 15%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 13%
$276,400 ↓ 21%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 27%
$1,420/mo ↑ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 3%
394,769
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $78/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $936/year.

Median household income is $9,619/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Arlington or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Wilmington?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $78/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Wilmington?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $9,619/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Wilmington details →

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