Wilmington wins overall by ~13% (COL index)
Cost of living: Wilmington vs Chicago (2026)
A $62,000 salary in Wilmington buys roughly what $71,333 does in Chicago (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
+$5,814/yr
Favoring Wilmington for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $484/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~31 months and still keep ~$58/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 | Wilmington North Carolina | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $62K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,250Wins | $1,500 | Wilmington wins +$250/mo | $3,000/yr saves in Wilmington |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,550Wins | $1,900 | Wilmington wins +$350/mo | $4,200/yr saves in Wilmington |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,050Wins | $2,600 | Wilmington wins +$550/mo | $6,600/yr saves in Wilmington |
| Median home price | $340KBetter | $360K | Wilmington wins +$20K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98Better | 102 | Wilmington wins +4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14Better | $15 | Wilmington wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $56Better | $60 | Wilmington wins +$4/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $45Wins | $105 | Wilmington wins +$60/mo | $720/yr saves in Wilmington |
| Gas price/gal | $3.15Better | $3.40 | Wilmington wins +$0.25 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Better | $165 | Wilmington wins +$17/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $158Better | $165 | Wilmington wins +$7/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $62Better | $65 | Wilmington wins +$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $57K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$10K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.5%Better | 4.9% | Wilmington wins +0.4 pp | $248/yr saves in Wilmington |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Wins | 10.3% | Wilmington wins +3.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $16.00 | Wilmington wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $38Wins | $45 | Wilmington wins +$7/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Wins | $7.00 | Wilmington wins +$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 93Wins | 107 | Wilmington wins +14 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 30 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +48 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
Wilmington 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 Wilmington.
High-yield savings
Park ~$4,200/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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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
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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 Wilmington cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Wilmington is 13% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (93 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Wilmington vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Wilmington is $1,550/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Wilmington is cheaper by 18%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Wilmington?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $86,290/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Wilmington. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Wilmington or Chicago?
Wilmington has the lower state income tax rate at 4.5% vs 4.9%. The difference is 0.4 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Wilmington to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Wilmington 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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Salary equivalent: Wilmington ↔ Chicago
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