City Comparison

Killeen vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Killeen

Texas
84
Very Affordable
$235,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$56,400
Median Income

Wilmington

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

The Verdict

18.4%

Living in Killeen costs 18.4% less than Wilmington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Killeen, you would need $91,964 in Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
56
Killeen
108
Wilmington
Groceries
96
Killeen
101
Wilmington
Utilities
108
Killeen
94
Wilmington
Transportation
95
Killeen
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
96
Killeen
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Killeen has the same purchasing power as $91,964 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $61,165 in Killeen.

Living in Killeen vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Killeen's housing index of 56 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $320,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Killeen compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Killeen and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Killeen 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 108 in Killeen and 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Killeen vs $376 in Wilmington. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Killeen and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,400 in Killeen and $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,143 and $47,021 respectively. Killeen residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,316/month to housing in Killeen vs $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Killeen, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. 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 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Killeen is 18.4% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Killeen has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,964 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Killeen's housing index is 56 with median homes at $235,000, while Wilmington's is 108 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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