Wilmington, NC vs Winston-Salem, NC

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Winston-Salem is 26.6% cheaper than Wilmington. With a cost index of 80 vs 102, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Winston-Salem to Wilmington should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Wilmington is $1,311/month compared to $1,033/month in Winston-Salem — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Winston-Salem is more affordable at $208,200 median vs $350,300.

Median household income in Wilmington is $63,900 compared to $57,673 in Winston-Salem (+10.8%). Wilmington does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Wilmington spend roughly 24.6% of their income on rent, more than the 21.5% in Winston-Salem.