City Comparison

Warwick vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

Wilmington

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

The Verdict

2.9%

Wilmington is 2.9% less expensive than Warwick overall. A household earning $75,000 in Warwick would need approximately $72,877 in Wilmington to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
127
Warwick
108
Wilmington
Groceries
102
Warwick
101
Wilmington
Utilities
112
Warwick
94
Wilmington
Transportation
105
Warwick
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
103
Warwick
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Warwick has the same purchasing power as $72,877 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $77,184 in Warwick.

Living in Warwick vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Warwick's housing index of 127 is higher Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $413,000 vs $320,000. The $93,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,048 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Warwick compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Warwick and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Warwick 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 112 in Warwick and 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $448 in Warwick vs $376 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 103 in Warwick 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 $74,600 in Warwick and $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,377 and $47,021 respectively. Warwick residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,741/month to housing in Warwick vs $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/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 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington is 2.9% more affordable overall with an index of 103 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Warwick has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,877 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Warwick's housing index is 127 with median homes at $413,000, while Wilmington's is 108 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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