City Comparison

Tyler vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Tyler

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$54,800
Median Income

Wilmington

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

The Verdict

17.5%

Living in Tyler costs 17.5% less than Wilmington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Tyler, you would need $90,882 in Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
69
Tyler
108
Wilmington
Groceries
96
Tyler
101
Wilmington
Utilities
97
Tyler
94
Wilmington
Transportation
92
Tyler
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
93
Tyler
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Tyler has the same purchasing power as $90,882 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $61,893 in Tyler.

Living in Tyler vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Tyler's housing index of 69 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $320,000. The $70,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,548 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Tyler compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Tyler and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Tyler 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 97 in Tyler and 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Tyler vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Tyler and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $54,800 in Tyler and $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,471 and $47,021 respectively. Tyler residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,279/month to housing in Tyler vs $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/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 Housing, where the gap is 39 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tyler is 17.5% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Tyler has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $90,882 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Tyler's housing index is 69 with median homes at $250,000, while Wilmington's is 108 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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