Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Richmond 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: Virginia salaries · North Carolina salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Richmond has a housing index of 108 while Wilmington sits at 108 (national average = 100). The median home in Richmond costs $300,000 compared to $320,000 in Wilmington, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Richmond versus $1,400 in Wilmington.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Richmond scores 100 while Wilmington scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Richmond (100) are lower than Wilmington (106). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Richmond is $50,120 compared to $48,432 in Wilmington. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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