Salem vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Salem
Wilmington
The Verdict
Salem is 0.0% less expensive than Wilmington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Salem would need approximately $75,000 in Wilmington to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Salem has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $75,000 in Salem.
Living in Salem vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Salem's housing index of 118 is higher Wilmington's 104, translating to median home prices of $400,000 vs $235,000. The $165,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,728 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,275/mo in Salem compared to $1,200/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Salem and 103 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Salem vs $489/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 97 in Salem and 106 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Salem vs $424 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Salem 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 $66,400 in Salem and $46,520 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,846 and $44,731 respectively. Salem residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,549/month to housing in Salem vs $1,085/month in Wilmington. In Salem, median rent of $1,275/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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