City Comparison

Stockholm vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Stockholm

Sweden
97
Average
$445,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$50,000
Median Income

Wilmington

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

The Verdict

5.8%

Living in Stockholm costs 5.8% less than Wilmington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Stockholm, you would need $79,639 in Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
118
Stockholm
108
Wilmington
Groceries
92
Stockholm
101
Wilmington
Utilities
88
Stockholm
94
Wilmington
Transportation
108
Stockholm
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
82
Stockholm
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Stockholm has the same purchasing power as $79,639 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $70,631 in Stockholm.

Living in Stockholm vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Stockholm's housing index of 118 is higher Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $445,000 vs $320,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Stockholm compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Stockholm and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Stockholm vs $480/month in Wilmington. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 88 in Stockholm and 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Stockholm vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 82 in Stockholm 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 $50,000 in Stockholm and $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,546 and $47,021 respectively. Stockholm residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,167/month to housing in Stockholm vs $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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

Stockholm is 5.8% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Stockholm has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,639 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Stockholm's housing index is 118 with median homes at $445,000, while Wilmington's is 108 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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