City Comparison

Wilmington vs Yuma

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Wilmington

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

Yuma

Arizona
92
Below Average
$284,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$54,100
Median Income

The Verdict

12.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 12.0%, with Yuma being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Wilmington has equivalent purchasing power to $66,990 in Yuma.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
108
Wilmington
82
Yuma
Groceries
101
Wilmington
101
Yuma
Utilities
94
Wilmington
102
Yuma
Transportation
99
Wilmington
97
Yuma
Healthcare
106
Wilmington
87
Yuma

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Wilmington has the same purchasing power as $66,990 in Yuma.

Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $83,967 in Wilmington.

Living in Wilmington vs Yuma

Housing Costs

Wilmington's housing index of 108 is higher Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $320,000 vs $284,000. The $36,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,340 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Wilmington compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Wilmington and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Wilmington vs $480/month in Yuma. 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 102 in Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Wilmington vs $408 in Yuma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Wilmington and 87 in Yuma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,021 and $58,804 respectively. Yuma residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,130/month to housing in Wilmington vs $1,262/month in Yuma. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yuma is 12.0% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Wilmington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,990 in Yuma, based on the cost of living difference.
Wilmington's housing index is 108 with median homes at $320,000, while Yuma's is 82 with median homes at $284,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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