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

Wilmington

North Carolina
100
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Wilmington is 28% cheaper than The Woodlands.

$1,311/mo ↓ 27%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↑ 37%
$63,900/yr ↓ 55%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 121%
$350,300 ↓ 27%
Home Value
$479,400 ↑ 37%
$1,371/mo ↓ 32%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↑ 46%
118,578
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Wilmington, NC and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $481/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $5,772/year.

Median household income is $77,453/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Wilmington is $350,300 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Wilmington or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Wilmington and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Wilmington is $1,311/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $481/month.
Which city has higher income, Wilmington or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $63,900 in Wilmington and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $77,453/year higher in The Woodlands.
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 The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,311/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Wilmington details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

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