Racine vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Racine
Wilmington
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 14.6%, with Racine being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Racine has equivalent purchasing power to $87,784 in Wilmington.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Racine has the same purchasing power as $87,784 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $64,078 in Racine.
Living in Racine vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Racine's housing index of 66 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $126,000 vs $320,000. The $194,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,612 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Racine compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Racine and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Racine 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 94 in Racine and 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Racine vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 111 in Racine 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 $57,700 in Racine and $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,568 and $47,021 respectively. Racine residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,346/month to housing in Racine vs $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/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 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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