Sydney vs Wilmington

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Sydney has the same purchasing power as $73,571 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $76,456 in Sydney.

Living in Sydney vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Sydney's housing index of 142 is higher Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $825,000 vs $320,000. The $505,000 difference in home prices means roughly $32,820 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,050/mo in Sydney compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Sydney and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Sydney vs $480/month in Wilmington. Sydney offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Sydney and 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Sydney vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 72 in Sydney and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 34-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $60,000 in Sydney and $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,143 and $47,021 respectively. Sydney residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,400/month to housing in Sydney vs $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/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 Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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