Cost of Living: Chicago, IL vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Chicago

Illinois
100
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Chicago and Wilmington have a similar cost of living.

$1,380/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 5%
$75,134/yr ↑ 18%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 15%
$315,200 ↓ 10%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 11%
$1,502/mo ↑ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 9%
2,707,648
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
2.07%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

22.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Chicago, IL and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $69/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $828/year.

Median household income is $11,234/year higher in Chicago. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Chicago is $315,200 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Chicago or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Chicago and Wilmington?
Median rent in Chicago is $1,380/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $69/month.
Which city has higher income, Chicago or Wilmington?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $11,234/year higher in Chicago.
How do taxes compare between Illinois and North Carolina?
Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Chicago or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,380/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 Chicago details → View Wilmington details →

More Comparisons

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