Cost of Living: Lehigh Acres, FL vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Lehigh Acres

Florida
95
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Lehigh Acres is 5% cheaper than Wilmington.

$1,496/mo ↑ 14%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 12%
$62,330/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↑ 3%
$263,200 ↓ 25%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 33%
$1,330/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↑ 3%
127,391
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

28.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Lehigh Acres, FL and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $185/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $2,220/year.

Median household income is $1,570/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Lehigh Acres is $263,200 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Lehigh Acres vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Lehigh Acres or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lehigh Acres is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Lehigh Acres and Wilmington?
Median rent in Lehigh Acres is $1,496/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $185/month.
Which city has higher income, Lehigh Acres or Wilmington?
Median household income is $62,330 in Lehigh Acres and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $1,570/year higher in Wilmington.
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 Lehigh Acres or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Lehigh Acres has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,496/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 Lehigh Acres details → View Wilmington details →

More Comparisons

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