Cost of Living in Wilmington, North Carolina
In Wilmington, the median household income is $66,738 and the median gross rent is $1,395/mo, with a median home value of $383,800. Source: Census Bureau ACS, 2020-2024 estimates.
- Median household income
- $66,738
- Median gross rent
- $1,395/mo
- Median home value
- $383,800
- Population
- 120,805
How Wilmington compares to the North Carolina average
| Measure | Wilmington, NC | North Carolina statewide | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,738 | $72,388 | -7.8% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,395 | $1,228 | +13.6% |
| Median home value | $383,800 | $288,900 | +32.8% |
Statewide, North Carolina prices average 94.3 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (2024), where the U.S. average is 100.
Housing affordability in Wilmington
- Salary needed for median rent
- $55,800
- Rent burden at median income
- 25.1%
- Est. affordable home price
- $243,456
So that $1,395/mo is 30% of gross income
Share of the median household income spent on median rent (30%+ = cost-burdened)
At median income, 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI
The median home value in Wilmington is $383,800 — +57.6% above what the median household income supports under these assumptions.
Estimates from documented formulas — see methodology. Not financial advice.
Cost of living in other North Carolina cities
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.