Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Irvine is 156% more expensive than Wilmington.

$2,893/mo ↑ 121%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 55%
$129,647/yr ↑ 103%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 51%
$1,115,400 ↑ 218%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 69%
$2,904/mo ↑ 112%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 53%
308,160
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,582/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $18,984/year.

Median household income is $65,747/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Irvine or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Wilmington?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $1,582/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Wilmington?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $65,747/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and North Carolina?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/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 Irvine details → View Wilmington details →

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