Cost of Living: Wilmington, NC vs High Point, NC (2026)

Wilmington

North Carolina
100
VS

High Point

North Carolina
73

Wilmington is 37% more expensive than High Point.

$1,311/mo ↑ 23%
Median Rent
$1,062/mo ↓ 19%
$63,900/yr ↑ 4%
Median Income
$61,228/yr ↓ 4%
$350,300 ↑ 65%
Home Value
$212,400 ↓ 39%
$1,371/mo ↑ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,084/mo ↓ 21%
118,578
Population
115,263

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
4.5%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

24.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Wilmington, NC and High Point, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $249/month cheaper in High Point, saving renters about $2,988/year.

Median household income is $2,672/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Wilmington is $350,300 compared to $212,400 in High Point.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in North Carolina.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington vs High Point — common questions

Is Wilmington or High Point cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, High Point is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Wilmington and High Point?
Median rent in Wilmington is $1,311/month and in High Point it's $1,062/month — a difference of $249/month.
Which city has higher income, Wilmington or High Point?
Median household income is $63,900 in Wilmington and $61,228 in High Point. Median household income is $2,672/year higher in Wilmington.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and North Carolina?
Both cities are in North Carolina and share the same state tax rates: 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Wilmington or High Point?
It depends on your priorities. Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,311/mo, while High Point has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,062/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Wilmington details → View High Point details →

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