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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

San Jose is 154% more expensive than Wilmington.

$2,617/mo ↑ 100%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 50%
$141,565/yr ↑ 122%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 55%
$1,187,800 ↑ 239%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 71%
$2,775/mo ↑ 102%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 51%
990,054
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

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,306/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $15,672/year.

Median household income is $77,665/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Wilmington — common questions

Is San Jose or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Wilmington?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $1,306/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Wilmington?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $77,665/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Wilmington details →

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