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

College Station

Texas
91
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

College Station is 9% cheaper than Wilmington.

$1,168/mo ↓ 11%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↑ 12%
$51,776/yr ↓ 19%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↑ 23%
$326,500 ↓ 7%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 7%
$1,251/mo ↓ 9%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↑ 10%
122,280
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

27.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing College Station, TX and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $143/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $1,716/year.

Median household income is $12,124/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in College Station is $326,500 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

College Station vs Wilmington — common questions

Is College Station or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, College Station is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between College Station and Wilmington?
Median rent in College Station is $1,168/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $143/month.
Which city has higher income, College Station or Wilmington?
Median household income is $51,776 in College Station and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $12,124/year higher in Wilmington.
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 College Station or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. College Station has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,168/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 College Station details → View Wilmington details →

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