Cost of Living: Cape Coral, FL vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Cape Coral

Florida
114
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Cape Coral is 14% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,751/mo ↑ 34%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 25%
$76,062/yr ↑ 19%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 16%
$339,200 ↓ 3%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 3%
$1,523/mo ↑ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 10%
206,387
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

27.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cape Coral, FL and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 114 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $440/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $5,280/year.

Median household income is $12,162/year higher in Cape Coral. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cape Coral is $339,200 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cape Coral vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Cape Coral or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 114 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cape Coral and Wilmington?
Median rent in Cape Coral is $1,751/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $440/month.
Which city has higher income, Cape Coral or Wilmington?
Median household income is $76,062 in Cape Coral and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $12,162/year higher in Cape Coral.
How do taxes compare between Florida and North Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Cape Coral or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Cape Coral has a cost index of 114 with median rent of $1,751/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 Cape Coral details → View Wilmington details →

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