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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Houston is 12% cheaper than Wilmington.

$1,313/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ≈ Same
$62,894/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↑ 2%
$253,400 ↓ 28%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 38%
$1,316/mo ↓ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↑ 4%
2,300,419
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $1,006/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Houston or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Wilmington?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $2/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Wilmington?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $1,006/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 Houston or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/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 Houston details → View Wilmington details →

More Comparisons

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