Cost of Living: Berkeley, CA vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Berkeley

California
251
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Berkeley is 151% more expensive than Wilmington.

$2,127/mo ↑ 62%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 38%
$108,558/yr ↑ 70%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 41%
$1,351,100 ↑ 286%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 74%
$2,340/mo ↑ 71%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 41%
120,223
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

23.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Berkeley, CA and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 251 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $816/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $9,792/year.

Median household income is $44,658/year higher in Berkeley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Berkeley is $1,351,100 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Wilmington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Berkeley vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Berkeley or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Berkeley and Wilmington?
Median rent in Berkeley is $2,127/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $816/month.
Which city has higher income, Berkeley or Wilmington?
Median household income is $108,558 in Berkeley and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $44,658/year higher in Berkeley.
How do taxes compare between California and North Carolina?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Berkeley or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with median rent of $2,127/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 Berkeley details → View Wilmington details →

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