Cost of Living: Wilmington, NC vs Richmond, CA (2026)

Wilmington

North Carolina
100
VS

Richmond

California
161

Wilmington is 38% cheaper than Richmond.

$1,311/mo ↓ 31%
Median Rent
$1,895/mo ↑ 45%
$63,900/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$90,038/yr ↑ 41%
$350,300 ↓ 46%
Home Value
$650,100 ↑ 86%
$1,371/mo ↓ 32%
Owner Costs
$2,015/mo ↑ 47%
118,578
Population
115,396

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
13.3%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

24.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Wilmington, NC and Richmond, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 161 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $584/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $7,008/year.

Median household income is $26,138/year higher in Richmond. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Wilmington is $350,300 compared to $650,100 in Richmond.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington vs Richmond — common questions

Is Wilmington or Richmond cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 161 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Wilmington and Richmond?
Median rent in Wilmington is $1,311/month and in Richmond it's $1,895/month — a difference of $584/month.
Which city has higher income, Wilmington or Richmond?
Median household income is $63,900 in Wilmington and $90,038 in Richmond. Median household income is $26,138/year higher in Richmond.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and California?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Wilmington or Richmond?
It depends on your priorities. Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,311/mo, while Richmond has a cost index of 161 with rent of $1,895/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Wilmington details → View Richmond details →

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