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

Wilmington

North Carolina
100
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Wilmington is 5% cheaper than Clearwater.

$1,311/mo ↓ 15%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↑ 17%
$63,900/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$64,440/yr ≈ Same
$350,300 ↑ 7%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 7%
$1,371/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↑ 3%
118,578
Population
117,075

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
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Wilmington, NC and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $228/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $2,736/year.

Median household income is $540/year higher in Clearwater. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Wilmington is $350,300 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Wilmington or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Wilmington and Clearwater?
Median rent in Wilmington is $1,311/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $228/month.
Which city has higher income, Wilmington or Clearwater?
Median household income is $63,900 in Wilmington and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $540/year higher in Clearwater.
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 Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,311/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Wilmington details → View Clearwater details →

More Comparisons

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