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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Austin is 34% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,655/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 21%
$91,461/yr ↑ 43%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 30%
$512,700 ↑ 46%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 32%
$1,747/mo ↑ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 22%
967,862
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $344/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $4,128/year.

Median household income is $27,561/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Austin or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Wilmington?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $344/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Wilmington?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $27,561/year higher in Austin.
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 Austin or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/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 Austin details → View Wilmington details →

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