Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

San Francisco is 167% more expensive than Wilmington.

$2,419/mo ↑ 85%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 46%
$141,446/yr ↑ 121%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 55%
$1,380,500 ↑ 294%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 75%
$2,620/mo ↑ 91%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 48%
836,321
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,108/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $13,296/year.

Median household income is $77,546/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Wilmington — common questions

Is San Francisco or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Wilmington?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $1,108/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Wilmington?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $77,546/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and North Carolina?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 Francisco details → View Wilmington details →

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