City Comparison

Wilmington vs Youngstown

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Wilmington

Delaware
104
Average
$235,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$46,520
Median Income

Youngstown

Ohio
82
Very Affordable
$102,000
Median Home
$725/mo
Median Rent
$34,600
Median Income

The Verdict

26.8%

Living in Youngstown costs 26.8% less than Wilmington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Wilmington, you would need $59,135 in Youngstown.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
104
Wilmington
41
Youngstown
Groceries
103
Wilmington
98
Youngstown
Utilities
106
Wilmington
96
Youngstown
Transportation
103
Wilmington
101
Youngstown
Healthcare
106
Wilmington
90
Youngstown

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Wilmington has the same purchasing power as $59,135 in Youngstown.

Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $95,122 in Wilmington.

Living in Wilmington vs Youngstown

Housing Costs

Wilmington's housing index of 104 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $102,000. The $133,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,640 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Wilmington compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Wilmington and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Wilmington vs $466/month in Youngstown. 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 106 in Wilmington and 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Wilmington vs $384 in Youngstown. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Wilmington and 90 in Youngstown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $46,520 in Wilmington and $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $44,731 and $42,195 respectively. Wilmington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,085/month to housing in Wilmington vs $807/month in Youngstown. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 63 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Youngstown is 26.8% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Wilmington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,135 in Youngstown, based on the cost of living difference.
Wilmington's housing index is 104 with median homes at $235,000, while Youngstown's is 41 with median homes at $102,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases