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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

El Paso is 33% cheaper than Wilmington.

$1,041/mo ↓ 21%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↑ 26%
$58,734/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↑ 9%
$171,700 ↓ 51%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 104%
$1,044/mo ↓ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↑ 31%
678,147
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $270/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $3,240/year.

Median household income is $5,166/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Wilmington — common questions

Is El Paso or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Wilmington?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $270/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Wilmington?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $5,166/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 El Paso or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/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 El Paso details → View Wilmington details →

More Comparisons

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