Cost of Living: Wilmington, NC vs Peoria, IL (2026)

Wilmington

North Carolina
100
VS

Peoria

Illinois
61

Wilmington is 64% more expensive than Peoria.

$1,311/mo ↑ 38%
Median Rent
$951/mo ↓ 27%
$63,900/yr ↑ 9%
Median Income
$58,716/yr ↓ 8%
$350,300 ↑ 134%
Home Value
$149,500 ↓ 57%
$1,371/mo ↑ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,007/mo ↓ 27%
118,578
Population
112,126

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
4.95%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

24.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Wilmington, NC and Peoria, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $360/month cheaper in Peoria, saving renters about $4,320/year.

Median household income is $5,184/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Wilmington is $350,300 compared to $149,500 in Peoria.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington vs Peoria — common questions

Is Wilmington or Peoria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Peoria is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Wilmington and Peoria?
Median rent in Wilmington is $1,311/month and in Peoria it's $951/month — a difference of $360/month.
Which city has higher income, Wilmington or Peoria?
Median household income is $63,900 in Wilmington and $58,716 in Peoria. Median household income is $5,184/year higher in Wilmington.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Illinois?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Wilmington or Peoria?
It depends on your priorities. Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,311/mo, while Peoria has a cost index of 61 with rent of $951/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Wilmington details → View Peoria details →

More Comparisons

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