Cost of Living: Wilmington, NC vs Richardson, TX (2026)

Wilmington

North Carolina
100
VS

Richardson

Texas
128

Wilmington is 28% cheaper than Richardson.

$1,311/mo ↓ 28%
Median Rent
$1,825/mo ↑ 39%
$63,900/yr ↓ 34%
Median Income
$96,257/yr ↑ 51%
$350,300 ↓ 14%
Home Value
$405,600 ↑ 16%
$1,371/mo ↓ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,796/mo ↑ 31%
118,578
Population
118,269

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
0%
4.75%
Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

24.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Wilmington, NC and Richardson, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $514/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $6,168/year.

Median household income is $32,357/year higher in Richardson. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Wilmington is $350,300 compared to $405,600 in Richardson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington vs Richardson — common questions

Is Wilmington or Richardson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Wilmington and Richardson?
Median rent in Wilmington is $1,311/month and in Richardson it's $1,825/month — a difference of $514/month.
Which city has higher income, Wilmington or Richardson?
Median household income is $63,900 in Wilmington and $96,257 in Richardson. Median household income is $32,357/year higher in Richardson.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Texas?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Wilmington or Richardson?
It depends on your priorities. Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,311/mo, while Richardson has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,825/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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