City Comparison

Midland vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Midland

Texas
92
Below Average
$269,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$89,600
Median Income

Wilmington

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

The Verdict

10.7%

Living in Midland costs 10.7% less than Wilmington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Midland, you would need $83,967 in Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
84
Midland
108
Wilmington
Groceries
96
Midland
101
Wilmington
Utilities
99
Midland
94
Wilmington
Transportation
91
Midland
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
110
Midland
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Midland has the same purchasing power as $83,967 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $66,990 in Midland.

Living in Midland vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Midland's housing index of 84 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $269,000 vs $320,000. The $51,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,312 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Midland compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Midland and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Midland 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 99 in Midland and 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Midland vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 110 in Midland and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $89,600 in Midland and $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $97,391 and $47,021 respectively. Midland residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,091/month to housing in Midland vs $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Midland, median rent of $1,450/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 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Midland is 10.7% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Midland has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,967 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Midland's housing index is 84 with median homes at $269,000, while Wilmington's is 108 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases