Moving from Wilmington to Mesa (2026)
Mesa has a COL index of 96 vs 93 for Wilmington (100 = US average). Expect to pay about 3% more for the same lifestyle.
Pay ~$93 more/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
9396
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,550$1,400
per month
State tax
4.5%2.5%
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,459$4,584
per month
Salary needed in Mesa to match your Wilmington lifestyle
Based on the 3% cost of living increase between the two cities.
| Your salary in Wilmington | Equivalent in Mesa |
|---|---|
| $40K | $41,290 |
| $50K | $51,613 |
| $60K | $61,935 |
| $75K | $77,419 |
| $80K | $82,581 |
| $100K | $103,226 |
| $120K | $123,871 |
| $150K | $154,839 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Wilmington vs Mesa
| Expense | Wilmington | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,459 | $4,584 |
| 1BR rent | $1,550 | $1,400 |
| Groceries | $372 | $369 |
| Transport | $45 | $55 |
| Utilities | $158 | $210 |
| Internet | $62 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,272 | $2,490 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Mesa cheaper than Wilmington?
No. Mesa has a cost of living index of 96 vs 93 for Wilmington (100 = US average). That's about 3% more expensive.
How much will I save moving from Wilmington to Mesa?
On a $75K salary, moving from Wilmington to Mesa could save roughly $93/month on core expenses. That's ~$1,116/year.
What salary do I need in Mesa to match my Wilmington lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Wilmington, you'd need roughly $77,419/year in Mesa. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from Mesa to WilmingtonWilmington vs Mesa — full comparisonWilmington cost of livingMesa cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates at $75K. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only