Wilmington, NC vs Wilson, NC

The cost of living difference between Wilmington, NC and Wilson, NC is dramatic. Wilson is 36.4% cheaper than Wilmington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Wilmington has a cost index of 102 while Wilson sits at 75, 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 Wilmington is $1,311/month compared to $925/month in Wilson — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wilson is more affordable at $192,000 median vs $350,300.

Median household income in Wilmington is $63,900 compared to $47,294 in Wilson (+35.1%). The higher salaries in Wilmington partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Wilmington spend roughly 24.6% of their income on rent, more than the 23.5% in Wilson.