salaryRent is higher than in 54% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.3 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18.5 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $69,200 a year. That is $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of North Carolina. It is number 108 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Wilmington?
Share of households by yearly income. 24.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Wilmington
| Size | Wilmington | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,218 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,305 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,503 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,746 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,365 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Wilmington overall?
Everyday prices in the Wilmington metro area are 4% below the U.S. average (index 96.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Wilmington
Life in Wilmington
What jobs pay in Wilmington
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $151,790 | 13.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $131,270 | 15.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,990 | 16.6% |
| Software Developer | $123,730 | 16.8% |
| Lawyer | $109,620 | 18.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,700 | 21.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,450 | 22.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $93,830 | 22.1% |
| Operations Manager | $90,270 | 23.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $80,970 | 25.6% |
| Accountant | $77,920 | 26.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $69,480 | 29.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,390 | 32.7% |
| Plumber | $56,390 | 36.8% |
| Electrician | $54,080 | 38.4% |
| Police Officer | $53,520 | 38.8% |
| Carpenter | $50,830 | 40.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $49,860 | 41.6% |
| Truck Driver | $48,850 | 42.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $48,240 | 43.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $42,000 | 49.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,100 | 54.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,710 | 55.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,160 | 55.9% |
| Firefighter | $35,580 | 58.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,940 | 59.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,790 | 67.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $30,610 | 67.8% |
| Cashier | $28,520 | 72.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Wilmington?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $933 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $383,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $38,380 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Wilmington, NC?
Renting in Wilmington costs a median of about $1,730 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Wilmington?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $69,200 a year, or $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Wilmington cheap or expensive?
Wilmington is rated OK: rent takes 28.8% of the typical household income of $71,977. It ranks 108th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Wilmington?
The median homeowner in Wilmington pays $2,558 a year in property taxes, about 0.67% of the median home value.
Is Wilmington more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Wilmington?
The median home value in Wilmington is $383,800, about 5.3 times the typical yearly household income.
120,805 people live in Wilmington. Numbers are typical (middle) values.