Wilmington wins overall by ~7% (COL index)
Cost of living: Wilmington vs Phoenix (2026)
A $61,000 salary in Wilmington buys roughly what $65,591 does in Phoenix (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
−$1,157/yr
Favoring Phoenix for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $96/mo in Phoenix, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
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 | Phoenix Arizona | Who wins | Your impact at $61K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,250 | $1,200Better | Phoenix wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Phoenix |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,550 | $1,500Better | Phoenix wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Phoenix |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,050 | $1,900Better | Phoenix wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Phoenix |
| Median home price | $340KBetter | $380K | Wilmington wins +$40K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98 | 97Better | Phoenix wins -1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14 | $13Better | Phoenix wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $56 | $55Better | Phoenix wins −$1/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $45Wins | $64 | Wilmington wins +$19/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.15Better | $3.20 | Wilmington wins +$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Better | $160 | Wilmington wins +$12/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $158Wins | $210 | Wilmington wins +$52/mo | $624/yr saves in Wilmington |
| Internet/mo | $62 | $60Better | Phoenix wins −$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $57K | $65KWins | Phoenix wins +$8K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.5% | 2.5%Wins | Phoenix wins -2.0 pp | $1,220/yr saves in Phoenix |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Wins | 8.6% | Wilmington wins +1.6 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $38 | $35Better | Phoenix wins −$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Better | $6.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 93Better | 100 | Wilmington wins +7 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 30 | 41Wins | Phoenix wins +11 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,224/yr tax difference into cash back
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
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
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
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Frequently asked questions
Is Wilmington cheaper than Phoenix?
Yes. Wilmington is 7% cheaper than Phoenix based on overall cost of living indices (93 vs 100, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Wilmington vs Phoenix?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Wilmington is $1,550/month and in Phoenix is $1,500/month. Wilmington is more expensive by 3%.
How much do I need to earn in Phoenix to match a $75,000 salary in Wilmington?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $80,645/year in Phoenix 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 Phoenix?
Phoenix has the lower state income tax rate at 2.5% vs 4.5%. The difference is 2.0 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 Phoenix?
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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