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

Wilmington

North Carolina
100
VS

Springfield

Illinois
61

Wilmington is 64% more expensive than Springfield.

$1,311/mo ↑ 39%
Median Rent
$945/mo ↓ 28%
$63,900/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$65,537/yr ↑ 3%
$350,300 ↑ 126%
Home Value
$155,200 ↓ 56%
$1,371/mo ↑ 41%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 29%
118,578
Population
113,714

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
17.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Wilmington, NC and Springfield, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $366/month cheaper in Springfield, saving renters about $4,392/year.

Median household income is $1,637/year higher in Springfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Wilmington is $350,300 compared to $155,200 in Springfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington vs Springfield — common questions

Is Wilmington or Springfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Springfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Wilmington and Springfield?
Median rent in Wilmington is $1,311/month and in Springfield it's $945/month — a difference of $366/month.
Which city has higher income, Wilmington or Springfield?
Median household income is $63,900 in Wilmington and $65,537 in Springfield. Median household income is $1,637/year higher in Springfield.
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 Springfield?
It depends on your priorities. Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,311/mo, while Springfield has a cost index of 61 with rent of $945/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Wilmington details → View Springfield details →

More Comparisons

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