Cost of Living: Tacoma, WA vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Tacoma

Washington
126
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Tacoma is 26% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,597/mo ↑ 22%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 18%
$83,857/yr ↑ 31%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 24%
$454,600 ↑ 30%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 23%
$1,747/mo ↑ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 22%
220,482
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.92%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

22.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tacoma, WA and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 126 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $286/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $3,432/year.

Median household income is $19,957/year higher in Tacoma. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tacoma is $454,600 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tacoma vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Tacoma or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tacoma and Wilmington?
Median rent in Tacoma is $1,597/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $286/month.
Which city has higher income, Tacoma or Wilmington?
Median household income is $83,857 in Tacoma and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $19,957/year higher in Tacoma.
How do taxes compare between Washington and North Carolina?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Tacoma or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Tacoma has a cost index of 126 with median rent of $1,597/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 Tacoma details → View Wilmington details →

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