Cost of Living: West Palm Beach, FL vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

West Palm Beach

Florida
119
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

West Palm Beach is 19% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,709/mo ↑ 30%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 23%
$69,261/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 8%
$369,800 ↑ 6%
Home Value
$350,300 ↓ 5%
$1,667/mo ↑ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 18%
119,508
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

29.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing West Palm Beach, FL and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 119 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $398/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $4,776/year.

Median household income is $5,361/year higher in West Palm Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in West Palm Beach is $369,800 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

West Palm Beach vs Wilmington — common questions

Is West Palm Beach or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 119 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between West Palm Beach and Wilmington?
Median rent in West Palm Beach is $1,709/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $398/month.
Which city has higher income, West Palm Beach or Wilmington?
Median household income is $69,261 in West Palm Beach and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $5,361/year higher in West Palm Beach.
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 West Palm Beach or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. West Palm Beach has a cost index of 119 with median rent of $1,709/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.
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