Cost of Living: Raleigh, NC vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Raleigh

North Carolina
110
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Raleigh is 10% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,468/mo ↑ 12%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 11%
$82,424/yr ↑ 29%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 22%
$377,800 ↑ 8%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 7%
$1,487/mo ↑ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 8%
470,763
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
4.5%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Raleigh, NC and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $157/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $1,884/year.

Median household income is $18,524/year higher in Raleigh. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Raleigh is $377,800 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in North Carolina.

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Raleigh or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Wilmington?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $157/month.
Which city has higher income, Raleigh or Wilmington?
Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $18,524/year higher in Raleigh.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and North Carolina?
Both cities are in North Carolina and share the same state tax rates: 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Raleigh or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,468/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 Raleigh details → View Wilmington details →

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