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

Dallas

Texas
97
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Dallas is 3% cheaper than Wilmington.

$1,403/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 7%
$67,760/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 6%
$295,300 ↓ 16%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 19%
$1,409/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 3%
1,299,553
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Dallas, TX and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $92/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $1,104/year.

Median household income is $3,860/year higher in Dallas. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Dallas is $295,300 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Dallas vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Dallas or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dallas is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Dallas and Wilmington?
Median rent in Dallas is $1,403/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $92/month.
Which city has higher income, Dallas or Wilmington?
Median household income is $67,760 in Dallas and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $3,860/year higher in Dallas.
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 Dallas or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Dallas has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,403/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 Dallas details → View Wilmington details →

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