City Comparison

St Cloud vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

St Cloud

Minnesota
90
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$60,200
Median Income

Wilmington

Delaware
104
Average
$235,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$46,520
Median Income

The Verdict

13.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.5%, with St Cloud being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in St Cloud has equivalent purchasing power to $86,667 in Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
St Cloud
104
Wilmington
Groceries
101
St Cloud
103
Wilmington
Utilities
95
St Cloud
106
Wilmington
Transportation
99
St Cloud
103
Wilmington
Healthcare
100
St Cloud
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in St Cloud has the same purchasing power as $86,667 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $64,904 in St Cloud.

Living in St Cloud vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

St Cloud's housing index of 82 is lower Wilmington's 104, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $235,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in St Cloud compared to $1,200/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in St Cloud and 103 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in St Cloud 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 95 in St Cloud and 106 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in St Cloud vs $424 in Wilmington. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in St Cloud 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 $60,200 in St Cloud and $46,520 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,889 and $44,731 respectively. St Cloud residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,405/month to housing in St Cloud vs $1,085/month in Wilmington. In St Cloud, median rent of $1,000/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 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

St Cloud is 13.5% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in St Cloud has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,667 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
St Cloud's housing index is 82 with median homes at $250,000, while Wilmington's is 104 with median homes at $235,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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