Cost of Living: Wichita, KS vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Wichita

Kansas
65
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Wichita is 35% cheaper than Wilmington.

$960/mo ↓ 27%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↑ 37%
$63,072/yr ↓ 1%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↑ 1%
$179,500 ↓ 49%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 95%
$994/mo ↓ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↑ 38%
396,488
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

5.7%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.41%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

18.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Wichita, KS and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 65 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $351/month cheaper in Wichita, saving renters about $4,212/year.

Median household income is $828/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Wichita is $179,500 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Wichita vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Wichita or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wichita is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Wichita and Wilmington?
Median rent in Wichita is $960/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $351/month.
Which city has higher income, Wichita or Wilmington?
Median household income is $63,072 in Wichita and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $828/year higher in Wilmington.
How do taxes compare between Kansas and North Carolina?
Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Wichita or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Wichita has a cost index of 65 with median rent of $960/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 Wichita details → View Wilmington details →

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