Cost of Living: Scottsdale, AZ vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Scottsdale

Arizona
165
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Scottsdale is 65% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,910/mo ↑ 46%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 31%
$107,372/yr ↑ 68%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 40%
$709,900 ↑ 103%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 51%
$1,824/mo ↑ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 25%
242,169
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

2.5%
Income Tax
4.5%
5.6%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.62%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Scottsdale, AZ and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 165 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $599/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $7,188/year.

Median household income is $43,472/year higher in Scottsdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Scottsdale is $709,900 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

Arizona has a lower income tax rate, making Scottsdale slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scottsdale vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Scottsdale or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 165 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Scottsdale and Wilmington?
Median rent in Scottsdale is $1,910/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $599/month.
Which city has higher income, Scottsdale or Wilmington?
Median household income is $107,372 in Scottsdale and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $43,472/year higher in Scottsdale.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and North Carolina?
Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Scottsdale or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Scottsdale has a cost index of 165 with median rent of $1,910/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 Scottsdale details → View Wilmington details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Scottsdale and Wilmington

Scottsdale vs. Garland Scottsdale vs. Boise Scottsdale vs. Glendale Scottsdale vs. Arlington Scottsdale vs. Winston-Salem Scottsdale vs. Norfolk Wilmington vs. Spring Hill Wilmington vs. Billings Wilmington vs. West Palm Beach Wilmington vs. Richardson Wilmington vs. Hartford Wilmington vs. Cambridge