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

Torrance

California
218
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Torrance is 118% more expensive than Wilmington.

$2,214/mo ↑ 69%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 41%
$113,105/yr ↑ 77%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 44%
$1,036,600 ↑ 196%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 66%
$2,295/mo ↑ 67%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 40%
143,499
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

23.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Torrance, CA and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 218 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $903/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $10,836/year.

Median household income is $49,205/year higher in Torrance. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Torrance is $1,036,600 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Torrance vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Torrance or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 218 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Torrance and Wilmington?
Median rent in Torrance is $2,214/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $903/month.
Which city has higher income, Torrance or Wilmington?
Median household income is $113,105 in Torrance and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $49,205/year higher in Torrance.
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 Torrance or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Torrance has a cost index of 218 with median rent of $2,214/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 Torrance details → View Wilmington details →

More Comparisons

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