Cost of Living: New York, NY vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

New York

New York
166
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

New York is 66% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,779/mo ↑ 36%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 26%
$79,713/yr ↑ 25%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 20%
$751,700 ↑ 115%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 53%
$1,837/mo ↑ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 25%
8,516,202
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

10.9%
Income Tax
4.5%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.62%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $468/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $5,616/year.

Median household income is $15,813/year higher in New York. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

New York vs Wilmington — common questions

Is New York or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 166 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and Wilmington?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $468/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or Wilmington?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $15,813/year higher in New York.
How do taxes compare between New York and North Carolina?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to New York or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/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 New York details → View Wilmington details →

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