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

Durham

North Carolina
105
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Durham is 5% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,412/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 7%
$79,234/yr ↑ 24%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 19%
$355,300 ↑ 1%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 1%
$1,434/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 4%
288,465
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

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Durham, NC and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 105 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $101/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $1,212/year.

Median household income is $15,334/year higher in Durham. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Durham is $355,300 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Durham vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Durham or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Durham and Wilmington?
Median rent in Durham is $1,412/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $101/month.
Which city has higher income, Durham or Wilmington?
Median household income is $79,234 in Durham and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $15,334/year higher in Durham.
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 Durham or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Durham has a cost index of 105 with median rent of $1,412/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 Durham details → View Wilmington details →

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