Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Durham and Wilmington have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · North Carolina salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Durham has a housing index of 104 while Wilmington sits at 108 (national average = 100). The median home in Durham costs $340,000 compared to $320,000 in Wilmington, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Durham versus $1,400 in Wilmington.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Durham scores 100 while Wilmington scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Durham (108) are higher than Wilmington (106).
Median household income in Durham is $57,738 compared to $48,432 in Wilmington. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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