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

Fort Worth

Texas
97
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Fort Worth is 3% cheaper than Wilmington.

$1,412/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 7%
$76,602/yr ↑ 20%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 17%
$277,300 ↓ 21%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 26%
$1,489/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 8%
941,311
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Worth, TX and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $101/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $1,212/year.

Median household income is $12,702/year higher in Fort Worth. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Worth is $277,300 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Worth vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Fort Worth or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Worth is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Worth and Wilmington?
Median rent in Fort Worth is $1,412/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $101/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Worth or Wilmington?
Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $12,702/year higher in Fort Worth.
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 Fort Worth or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 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 Fort Worth details → View Wilmington details →

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