Cost of Living: Honolulu, HI vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Honolulu

Hawaii
175
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Honolulu is 75% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,783/mo ↑ 36%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 26%
$85,428/yr ↑ 34%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 25%
$834,100 ↑ 138%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 58%
$1,809/mo ↑ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 24%
346,323
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

11.0%
Income Tax
4.5%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.32%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

25.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Honolulu, HI and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 175 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $472/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $5,664/year.

Median household income is $21,528/year higher in Honolulu. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Honolulu is $834,100 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Wilmington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Honolulu vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Honolulu or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 175 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Honolulu and Wilmington?
Median rent in Honolulu is $1,783/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $472/month.
Which city has higher income, Honolulu or Wilmington?
Median household income is $85,428 in Honolulu and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $21,528/year higher in Honolulu.
How do taxes compare between Hawaii and North Carolina?
Hawaii has 11.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.32% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Honolulu or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Honolulu has a cost index of 175 with median rent of $1,783/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 Honolulu details → View Wilmington details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Honolulu and Wilmington

Honolulu vs. Cleveland Honolulu vs. Anaheim Honolulu vs. New Orleans Honolulu vs. Henderson Honolulu vs. Aurora Honolulu vs. Lexington Wilmington vs. Spring Hill Wilmington vs. Billings Wilmington vs. West Palm Beach Wilmington vs. Richardson Wilmington vs. Hartford Wilmington vs. Cambridge