City Comparison

Hong Kong vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hong Kong

Hong Kong
107
Above Average
$1.1M
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$42,000
Median Income

Wilmington

North Carolina
103
Average
$320,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$48,432
Median Income

The Verdict

3.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 3.9%, with Wilmington being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hong Kong has equivalent purchasing power to $72,196 in Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
195
Hong Kong
108
Wilmington
Groceries
105
Hong Kong
101
Wilmington
Utilities
92
Hong Kong
94
Wilmington
Transportation
78
Hong Kong
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
65
Hong Kong
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hong Kong has the same purchasing power as $72,196 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $77,913 in Hong Kong.

Living in Hong Kong vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Hong Kong's housing index of 195 is higher Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $1.1M vs $320,000. The $780,000 difference in home prices means roughly $50,700 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Hong Kong compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $950.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Hong Kong and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Hong Kong vs $480/month in Wilmington. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Hong Kong and 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Hong Kong vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 65 in Hong Kong and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 41-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $42,000 in Hong Kong and $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $39,252 and $47,021 respectively. Wilmington residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $980/month to housing in Hong Kong vs $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Hong Kong, median rent of $2,350/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 87 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington is 3.9% more affordable overall with an index of 103 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Hong Kong has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,196 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Hong Kong's housing index is 195 with median homes at $1.1M, while Wilmington's is 108 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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