Cost of Living: Mesa, AZ vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Mesa

Arizona
107
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Mesa is 7% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,478/mo ↑ 13%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 11%
$78,779/yr ↑ 23%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 19%
$364,300 ↑ 4%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 4%
$1,404/mo ↑ 2%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 2%
507,478
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

2.5%
Income Tax
4.5%
5.6%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.62%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

22.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Mesa, AZ and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 107 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $167/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $2,004/year.

Median household income is $14,879/year higher in Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Mesa is $364,300 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

Arizona has a lower income tax rate, making Mesa slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mesa vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Mesa or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 107 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Mesa and Wilmington?
Median rent in Mesa is $1,478/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $167/month.
Which city has higher income, Mesa or Wilmington?
Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $14,879/year higher in Mesa.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and North Carolina?
Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Mesa or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Mesa has a cost index of 107 with median rent of $1,478/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 Mesa details → View Wilmington details →

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