Cost of Living: Cary, NC vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Cary

North Carolina
135
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Cary is 35% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,621/mo ↑ 24%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 19%
$129,399/yr ↑ 103%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 51%
$525,200 ↑ 50%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 33%
$1,744/mo ↑ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 21%
176,686
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
4.5%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

15.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cary, NC and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 135 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $310/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $3,720/year.

Median household income is $65,499/year higher in Cary. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cary is $525,200 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in North Carolina.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cary vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Cary or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 135 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cary and Wilmington?
Median rent in Cary is $1,621/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $310/month.
Which city has higher income, Cary or Wilmington?
Median household income is $129,399 in Cary and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $65,499/year higher in Cary.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and North Carolina?
Both cities are in North Carolina and share the same state tax rates: 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Cary or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Cary has a cost index of 135 with median rent of $1,621/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 Cary details → View Wilmington details →

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