Cost of Living in Wilmington, NC
Cost of Living in Wilmington, NC has an overall index of 107, 7% above the U.S. baseline of 100. The typical home value is $350,300; typical monthly rent is $1,670; and median household income is $63,900.
Cost index: committed city housing/rent inputs and BEA 2024 metro-area price parities. Home value: Census ACS 2023 fallback place estimate. Rent: Zillow ZORI market signal as of 2026-02. A place-level signal, not a personal affordability decision or financial recommendation.
Home prices are the main source of pressure. This describes the local market, not your household.
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Frequently asked questions about Wilmington
Living in Wilmington
What is the cost of living like in Wilmington, NC?+
Living costs in Wilmington land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 107 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is $350,300, and typical monthly rents are $1,670. Groceries and utilities are in line with what you would find in most US cities.
How does Wilmington fit a household housing budget?+
Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,670, while local median household income is $63,900. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 31% before utilities and other costs. Use that as a planning signal for whether the place looks manageable under your own household assumptions.
How much are taxes in Wilmington, NC?+
North Carolina uses a flat model; 4.5% is top marginal-rate context. Applying the 0.84% state-level effective owner-occupied proxy to a home worth $350,300 gives a planning estimate near $2,943 per year; it is not a city, county, parcel, or individual tax bill. State plus average local sales-tax context is around 6.97%.
How much does it cost to rent in Wilmington, NC?+
The typical monthly rent in Wilmington is around $1,670. That's about 24% higher than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $350,300, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.
How much does a house cost in Wilmington, NC?+
The typical home value in Wilmington is $350,300. With 20% down and the committed 6.11% national 30-year fixed benchmark as of 2026-03-12, principal and interest are roughly $1,700/month before property tax and insurance. This is a planning estimate, not a local lender quote. About 47% of residents here own their homes.
Are groceries and utilities expensive in Wilmington?+
Grocery prices in Wilmington are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 97, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 88). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.
What is Wilmington, NC like to live in?+
Wilmington is a mid-sized city with a population of about 118,578. The median age of residents is 37.5, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 16.28%, above the national average of 12.4%.