City Comparison

Springdale vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

Wilmington

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

The Verdict

15.5%

Springdale is 15.5% less expensive than Wilmington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Springdale would need approximately $88,793 in Wilmington to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
86
Springdale
108
Wilmington
Groceries
97
Springdale
101
Wilmington
Utilities
93
Springdale
94
Wilmington
Transportation
91
Springdale
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
82
Springdale
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springdale has the same purchasing power as $88,793 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $63,350 in Springdale.

Living in Springdale vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Springdale's housing index of 86 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $299,000 vs $320,000. The $21,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,368 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Springdale compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Springdale and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Springdale 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 93 in Springdale and 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Springdale vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 82 in Springdale and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,100 in Springdale and $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,379 and $47,021 respectively. Springdale residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,449/month to housing in Springdale vs $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 15.5% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Springdale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,793 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Springdale's housing index is 86 with median homes at $299,000, 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