Montgomery wins overall by ~13% (COL index)
Cost of living: Montgomery vs Wilmington (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Montgomery buys roughly what $68,889 does in Wilmington (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$6,982/yr
Favoring Montgomery for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $582/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~26 months and still keep ~$70/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Montgomery Alabama | Wilmington North Carolina | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $850Wins | $1,250 | Montgomery wins +$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in Montgomery |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,050Wins | $1,550 | Montgomery wins +$500/mo | $6,000/yr saves in Montgomery |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,400Wins | $2,050 | Montgomery wins +$650/mo | $7,800/yr saves in Montgomery |
| Median home price | $195KWins | $340K | Montgomery wins +$145K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 93Better | 98 | Montgomery wins +5 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Wins | $14 | Montgomery wins +$3/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $46Wins | $56 | Montgomery wins +$10/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $38Wins | $45 | Montgomery wins +$7/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $2.98Better | $3.15 | Montgomery wins +$0.17 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Better | $148 | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $170 | $158Better | Wilmington wins −$12/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $62 | Montgomery wins +$4/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $44K | $57KWins | Wilmington wins +$13K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.0% | 4.5%Better | Wilmington wins -0.5 pp | $300/yr saves in Wilmington |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 9.2% | 7.0%Wins | Wilmington wins -2.2 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Wins | $15.00 | Montgomery wins +$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $30Wins | $38 | Montgomery wins +$8/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Wins | $6.00 | Montgomery wins +$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 81Wins | 93 | Montgomery wins +12 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 24 | 30Wins | Wilmington wins +6 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Montgomery fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Montgomery.
High-yield savings
Park ~$6,000/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Montgomery cheaper than Wilmington?
Yes. Montgomery is 13% cheaper than Wilmington based on overall cost of living indices (81 vs 93, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Montgomery vs Wilmington?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Montgomery is $1,050/month and in Wilmington is $1,550/month. Montgomery is cheaper by 32%.
How much do I need to earn in Wilmington to match a $75,000 salary in Montgomery?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $86,111/year in Wilmington to match a $75,000 salary in Montgomery. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Montgomery or Wilmington?
Wilmington has the lower state income tax rate at 4.5% vs 5%. The difference is 0.5 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Montgomery to Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Montgomery offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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