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

Wilmington

North Carolina
100
VS

Brandon

Florida
108

Wilmington is 7% cheaper than Brandon.

$1,311/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,691/mo ↑ 29%
$63,900/yr ↓ 17%
Median Income
$77,068/yr ↑ 21%
$350,300 ↑ 19%
Home Value
$293,800 ↓ 16%
$1,371/mo ↓ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,546/mo ↑ 13%
118,578
Population
116,365

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Wilmington, NC and Brandon, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 108 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $380/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $4,560/year.

Median household income is $13,168/year higher in Brandon. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Wilmington is $350,300 compared to $293,800 in Brandon.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington vs Brandon — common questions

Is Wilmington or Brandon cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 108 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Wilmington and Brandon?
Median rent in Wilmington is $1,311/month and in Brandon it's $1,691/month — a difference of $380/month.
Which city has higher income, Wilmington or Brandon?
Median household income is $63,900 in Wilmington and $77,068 in Brandon. Median household income is $13,168/year higher in Brandon.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Florida?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Wilmington or Brandon?
It depends on your priorities. Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,311/mo, while Brandon has a cost index of 108 with rent of $1,691/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Wilmington details → View Brandon details →

More Comparisons

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