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

Sunnyvale

California
341
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Sunnyvale is 241% more expensive than Wilmington.

$3,065/mo ↑ 134%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 57%
$181,862/yr ↑ 185%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 65%
$1,816,600 ↑ 419%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 81%
$3,016/mo ↑ 120%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 55%
153,455
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

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sunnyvale, CA and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 341 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,754/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $21,048/year.

Median household income is $117,962/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sunnyvale is $1,816,600 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Sunnyvale vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Sunnyvale or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sunnyvale and Wilmington?
Median rent in Sunnyvale is $3,065/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $1,754/month.
Which city has higher income, Sunnyvale or Wilmington?
Median household income is $181,862 in Sunnyvale and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $117,962/year higher in Sunnyvale.
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 Sunnyvale or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with median rent of $3,065/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 Sunnyvale details → View Wilmington details →

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