Vienna vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Vienna
Wilmington
The Verdict
Living in Vienna costs 15.4% less than Wilmington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Vienna, you would need $88,636 in Wilmington.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Vienna has the same purchasing power as $88,636 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $63,462 in Vienna.
Living in Vienna vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Vienna's housing index of 105 is higher Wilmington's 104, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $235,000. The $160,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,404 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,275/mo in Vienna compared to $1,200/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 85 in Vienna and 103 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $404/month in Vienna vs $489/month in Wilmington. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1020/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Vienna and 106 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Vienna vs $424 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 82 in Vienna 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 $48,000 in Vienna and $46,520 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,545 and $44,731 respectively. Vienna residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,120/month to housing in Vienna vs $1,085/month in Wilmington. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,200/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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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