Rocky Mount, NC vs Wilmington, NC

The cost of living difference between Rocky Mount, NC and Wilmington, NC is dramatic. Rocky Mount is 30.4% cheaper than Wilmington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Rocky Mount has a cost index of 71 while Wilmington sits at 102, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Rocky Mount is $919/month compared to $1,311/month in Wilmington — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rocky Mount is more affordable at $148,300 median vs $350,300.

Median household income in Rocky Mount is $52,927 compared to $63,900 in Wilmington (-17.2%). The higher salaries in Wilmington partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Rocky Mount spend roughly 20.8% of their income on rent, less than the 24.6% in Wilmington.