{"id":142477,"date":"2025-08-28T23:50:24","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T06:50:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/?p=142477"},"modified":"2026-02-18T23:20:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T07:20:32","slug":"renters-cost-of-living-wilmington-nc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/local-resources\/renters-cost-of-living-wilmington-nc\/","title":{"rendered":"Cost of Living in Wilmington, NC: What Renters Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nestled along the North Carolina coast, Wilmington<\/a> offers a mix of historic character, a lively cultural scene and the laidback lifestyle of a seaside city. Of course, for those looking to find a rental apartment<\/a> here, one of the most important steps is figuring out what daily living will actually cost. Plus, getting a clear idea of the cost of living in Wilmington, NC, makes it easier to plan your budget and choose the right apartment.<\/p>\n

Renting in Wilmington<\/a> means more than paying rent \u2014 it\u2019s also about covering essentials, like utilities, food, healthcare and transportation. By exploring the average cost of living in Wilmington, NC, and comparing it with both the state and national averages, you\u2019ll gain a better sense of how this coastal city stacks up and whether it matches your financial expectations.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the average cost of living in Wilmington, NC?<\/h2>\n

Life in Wilmington, NC, combines the appeal of a coastal setting with the conveniences of a mid-sized city. For renters, that means you\u2019ll find that some costs that are easier on the wallet, whereas others run a little higher, depending on the category. To understand the average cost of living in Wilmington, NC<\/a>, it helps to see how it compares with both the North Carolina average and the U.S. overall.<\/p>\n

As of March 2025, Wilmington\u2019s median household income was $63,900. Based on our Cost of Living Calculator<\/a>, which uses data sourced from the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER<\/a>), the cost of living in Wilmington, NC, comes in 5% lower than the state average and 4% below the national average. While housing is notably more affordable, utilities, transportation and health care tend to push costs higher.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Here\u2019s how everyday expenses in Wilmington measure up against national figures:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Housing:<\/strong> 23% below the national average<\/li>\n
  • Utilities:<\/strong> 4% above the national average<\/li>\n
  • Food:<\/strong> 1% below the national average<\/li>\n
  • Health Care:<\/strong> 9% above the national average<\/li>\n
  • Transportation:<\/strong> 9% above the national average<\/li>\n
  • Goods & Services:<\/strong> 2% above the national average<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Overall, renters will likely find housing prices to be the biggest advantage, while categories like utilities and health care may add to monthly expenses. Even so, Wilmington still manages to stay more affordable than much of the country.<\/p>\n

    Breaking down the cost of living in Wilmington, NC<\/h2>\n

    Understanding the cost of living in Wilmington, NC, requires looking at the main categories that affect a renter\u2019s budget. Here\u2019s a closer look at everyday expenses:<\/p>\n

    Housing (buy & rent)<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Average monthly rent: $1,637<\/li>\n
    • Average home price: $415,736<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Utilities<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Energy bill: $220.24 per month<\/li>\n
      • Phone bill: $192.29 per month<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Food<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Milk (1 gallon): $6.24<\/li>\n
        • Eggs (dozen): $3.68<\/li>\n
        • Bread: $3.78<\/li>\n
        • Potatoes: $6.35<\/li>\n
        • Cheese: $4.25<\/li>\n
        • Ground beef: $7.85<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Healthcare<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Doctor\u2019s visit: $151.99<\/li>\n
          • Dentist: $143.72<\/li>\n
          • Optometrist: $140.89<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Transportation<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            • Gasoline (per gallon): $3.32<\/li>\n
            • Tire balancing: $81.84<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Goods & Services<\/strong><\/p>\n

                \n
              • Men\u2019s shirt: $33.76<\/li>\n
              • Women\u2019s slacks: $44.84<\/li>\n
              • Boy\u2019s jeans: $27.48<\/li>\n
              • Haircut: $21.98<\/li>\n
              • Beauty salon: $53.63<\/li>\n
              • Dry cleaning: $16.69<\/li>\n
              • Movie ticket: $12.04<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                This breakdown highlights where renters may save or spend more compared to other parts of the country. Housing stands out as the biggest advantage, while transportation and health care tend to put more pressure on the budget.<\/p>\n

                \"An<\/p>\n

                Is Wilmington, NC, a good choice for renters?<\/h2>\n

                With overall expenses coming in below both the state and national averages, Wilmington offers renters a compelling balance between affordability and lifestyle: Lower housing costs help offset slightly higher spending in categories like utilities and health care, making the city a practical option for those who want coastal living \u2014 without the steep price tag often found in larger markets.<\/p>\n

                If you\u2019re exploring apartments in Wilmington, NC, you\u2019ll find a community that delivers value, along with plenty of character. Between its manageable cost of living, appealing location, and well-rounded amenities, Wilmington is a city where renters can enjoy both comfort and convenience \u2014 all while keeping an eye on the bottom line.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                Nestled along the North Carolina coast, Wilmington offers a mix of historic character, a lively cultural scene and the laidback lifestyle of a seaside city. Of course, for those looking to find a rental apartment here, one of the most important steps is figuring out what daily living will actually cost. Plus, getting a clear…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3644,"featured_media":142478,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[38986,38955],"class_list":["post-142477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-resources","tag-cost-of-living","tag-wilmington-nc-local-guides","gallery-content-unit"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat\u2019s the Cost of Living in Wilmington, NC?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the cost of living in Wilmington, NC, from housing to utilities and food, as well as how it compares to state and national averages.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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