Cost of Living: Tampa, FL vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Tampa

Florida
113
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Tampa is 13% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,567/mo ↑ 20%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 16%
$71,302/yr ↑ 12%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 10%
$375,300 ↑ 7%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 7%
$1,553/mo ↑ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 12%
393,389
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tampa, FL and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $256/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $3,072/year.

Median household income is $7,402/year higher in Tampa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tampa is $375,300 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tampa vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Tampa or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tampa and Wilmington?
Median rent in Tampa is $1,567/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $256/month.
Which city has higher income, Tampa or Wilmington?
Median household income is $71,302 in Tampa and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $7,402/year higher in Tampa.
How do taxes compare between Florida and North Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Tampa or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Tampa has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,567/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 Tampa details → View Wilmington details →

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