Wilmington vs Youngstown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Wilmington
Youngstown
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 25.6%, with Youngstown being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Wilmington has equivalent purchasing power to $59,709 in Youngstown.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Wilmington has the same purchasing power as $59,709 in Youngstown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $94,207 in Wilmington.
Living in Wilmington vs Youngstown
Housing Costs
Wilmington's housing index of 108 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $320,000 vs $102,000. The $218,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,172 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Wilmington compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $675.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Wilmington and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/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 94 in Wilmington and 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 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 $48,432 in Wilmington and $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,021 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 $1,130/month to housing in Wilmington vs $807/month in Youngstown. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/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 67 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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