Burlington, NC vs Wilmington, NC

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Burlington is 22.2% cheaper than Wilmington. With a cost index of 79 vs 102, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Burlington to Wilmington should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Burlington is $1,030/month compared to $1,311/month in Wilmington — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Burlington is more affordable at $188,700 median vs $350,300.

Median household income in Burlington is $54,941 compared to $63,900 in Wilmington (-14%). The higher salaries in Wilmington partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Burlington spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, less than the 24.6% in Wilmington.