Wilmington, NC Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Wilmington, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
in-content-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Wilmington, North Carolina is home to roughly 116,933 residents. The typical household earns $58,908 per year — below the median across cities we track (-19%).
Housing costs are a defining factor for anyone relocating here. The median home value sits at $318,600 (roughly in line with the multi-city median at -3%), while renters pay a median of $1,213 per month. Buyers should weigh current mortgage rates and local property taxes against these figures before committing.
Cost of housing in Wilmington
Median home value is $318,600 and median gross rent is $1,213/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
Walkability & transit
Walkability data (Walk Score) will appear here once enrichment is run for Wilmington.
Climate & home insurance
Climate and flood-risk data (FEMA National Risk Index) will appear here once enrichment is run. Home insurance costs vary widely by region and risk profile.
in-content-mid (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Moving to Wilmington
Planning a move to Wilmington? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Wilmington, NC?
- In Wilmington, the median home value is $318,600 and median rent is $1,213 per month, against a median household income of $58,908. These figures come from the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Wilmington?
- A common guideline is that rent should stay under 30% of gross income. With median rent at $1,213/month, that implies an income of about $48,520 to keep housing affordable in Wilmington.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Wilmington?
- With a median home value of $318,600 and median rent of $1,213/month, the buy-vs-rent decision in Wilmington depends on how long you plan to stay, current mortgage rates, and your down payment. Compare monthly mortgage estimates against the rent figure above.