Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

San Antonio is 18% cheaper than Wilmington.

$1,258/mo ↓ 4%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↑ 4%
$62,917/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↑ 2%
$219,700 ↓ 37%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 59%
$1,235/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↑ 11%
1,458,954
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $53/month cheaper in San Antonio, saving renters about $636/year.

Median household income is $983/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Wilmington — common questions

Is San Antonio or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Antonio is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Wilmington?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $53/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Wilmington?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $983/year higher in Wilmington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View Wilmington details →

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