Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Fort Lauderdale is 32% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,776/mo ↑ 35%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 26%
$79,935/yr ↑ 25%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 20%
$455,600 ↑ 30%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 23%
$1,778/mo ↑ 30%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 23%
183,032
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $465/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $5,580/year.

Median household income is $16,035/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Wilmington?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $465/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Wilmington?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $16,035/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and North Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/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 Fort Lauderdale details → View Wilmington details →

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