Jacksonville, NC vs Wilmington, NC

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Jacksonville is 15.3% cheaper than Wilmington. With a cost index of 86 vs 102, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Jacksonville to Wilmington should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Jacksonville is $1,268/month compared to $1,311/month in Wilmington — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Jacksonville is more affordable at $191,700 median vs $350,300.

Median household income in Jacksonville is $54,069 compared to $63,900 in Wilmington (-15.4%). While Wilmington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Jacksonville spend roughly 28.1% of their income on rent, more than the 24.6% in Wilmington.