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

Orlando

Florida
115
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Orlando is 15% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,650/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 21%
$69,268/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 8%
$359,000 ↑ 2%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 2%
$1,621/mo ↑ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 15%
311,732
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

28.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Orlando, FL and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 115 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $339/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $4,068/year.

Median household income is $5,368/year higher in Orlando. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Orlando is $359,000 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Orlando vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Orlando or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 115 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Orlando and Wilmington?
Median rent in Orlando is $1,650/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $339/month.
Which city has higher income, Orlando or Wilmington?
Median household income is $69,268 in Orlando and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $5,368/year higher in Orlando.
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 Orlando or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Orlando has a cost index of 115 with median rent of $1,650/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 Orlando details → View Wilmington details →

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