Cost of Living: Wilmington, NC vs Manchester, NH (2026)

Wilmington

North Carolina
100
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Wilmington is 6% cheaper than Manchester.

$1,311/mo ↓ 11%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↑ 12%
$63,900/yr ↓ 17%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↑ 21%
$350,300 ↑ 4%
Home Value
$336,300 ↓ 4%
$1,371/mo ↓ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↑ 13%
118,578
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
0%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.86%

Affordability

24.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Wilmington, NC and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $154/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $1,848/year.

Median household income is $13,515/year higher in Manchester. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Wilmington is $350,300 compared to $336,300 in Manchester.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington vs Manchester — common questions

Is Wilmington or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Wilmington and Manchester?
Median rent in Wilmington is $1,311/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $154/month.
Which city has higher income, Wilmington or Manchester?
Median household income is $63,900 in Wilmington and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $13,515/year higher in Manchester.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and New Hampshire?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. New Hampshire has 0% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 1.86% property tax.
Should I move to Wilmington or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,311/mo, while Manchester has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,465/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Wilmington details → View Manchester details →

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