Buy vs Rent in Wilmington, NC (2026)
Median home price $340K · 1BR rent $1,550/mo · Price-to-rent ratio 18.3x.
Median home price
$340K
1BR rent
$1,550/mo
Price-to-rent ratio
18.3x
Verdict
Neutral
Monthly cost of buying — 3 scenarios
30-year mortgage at 7% · Includes property tax, insurance, and maintenance estimates
| 3.5% down (FHA) | 10% down | 20% down (conventional) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down payment | $11,900 | $34,000 | $68,000 |
| Mortgage (P&I) | $2,183/mo | $2,036/mo | $1,810/mo |
| Property tax (est.) | $312/mo | $312/mo | $312/mo |
| Insurance (est.) | $142/mo | $142/mo | $142/mo |
| Maintenance (est.) | $283/mo | $283/mo | $283/mo |
| Total monthly cost | $2,920vs rent: +$1,370/mo | $2,773vs rent: +$1,223/mo | $2,547vs rent: +$997/mo |
| Income to qualify | $93,557/yr | $87,257/yr | $77,571/yr |
| Break-even (approx.) | ~1 yrs | ~2 yrs | ~6 yrs |
Wilmington housing context
$57K
Median HH income
per year
$77,571
Income needed (20% down)
per year
+$21K
Affordability gap
vs median income
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to buy or rent in Wilmington?
Wilmington's price-to-rent ratio of 18.3x is in the neutral zone (15-20x). Whether to buy or rent depends on how long you plan to stay, your down payment, and your personal finances.
How much do I need to earn to buy a home in Wilmington?
With a median home price of $340K in Wilmington, you'd need an annual income of roughly $77,571 to qualify with 20% down (at 7% rate, 28% housing ratio). With 10% down, you'd need about $87,257/year.
Wilmington full cost of living breakdownCheaper cities near WilmingtonHow much to retire in WilmingtonCompare mortgage rates
Mortgage at 7% 30-yr fixed · Property tax 1.1% est. · Maintenance 1% est. · Zillow, BLS · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only