Cost of Living: Wilmington, NC vs Sparks, NV (2026)

Wilmington

North Carolina
100
VS

Sparks

Nevada
126

Wilmington is 21% cheaper than Sparks.

$1,311/mo ↓ 21%
Median Rent
$1,651/mo ↑ 26%
$63,900/yr ↓ 27%
Median Income
$86,979/yr ↑ 36%
$350,300 ↓ 23%
Home Value
$455,900 ↑ 30%
$1,371/mo ↓ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,610/mo ↑ 17%
118,578
Population
109,106

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
0%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
6.85%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.53%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Wilmington, NC and Sparks, NV, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $340/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $4,080/year.

Median household income is $23,079/year higher in Sparks. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Wilmington is $350,300 compared to $455,900 in Sparks.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington vs Sparks — common questions

Is Wilmington or Sparks cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Wilmington and Sparks?
Median rent in Wilmington is $1,311/month and in Sparks it's $1,651/month — a difference of $340/month.
Which city has higher income, Wilmington or Sparks?
Median household income is $63,900 in Wilmington and $86,979 in Sparks. Median household income is $23,079/year higher in Sparks.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Nevada?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Nevada has 0% income tax, 6.85% sales tax, and 0.53% property tax.
Should I move to Wilmington or Sparks?
It depends on your priorities. Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,311/mo, while Sparks has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,651/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Wilmington details → View Sparks details →

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