CostIndexUSA

Dallas, TX vs Wilmington, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Dallas
103.1
overall index
$1,625/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Wilmington
96.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Wilmington is moderately cheaper than Dallas — 6.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dallas, you would need $74,800 in Wilmington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing20.9%
Dallas
117.9
Wilmington
93.2
🛒 Groceries6.0%
Dallas
102.8
Wilmington
96.6
🚗 Transportation1.5%
Dallas
104.7
Wilmington
103.1
🏥 Healthcare1.5%
Dallas
94.7
Wilmington
93.3
Utilities3.1%
Dallas
90.7
Wilmington
87.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Dallas to see what you'd need to earn in Wilmington to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Wilmington, NC
$74,800
$5,200 less needed in Wilmington

Formula: salary × (96.4 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 0.9350. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Dallas, TX

Median Home Price
$358,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Wilmington, NC

Median Home Price
$432,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
93.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.2×

Dallas has 20.9% lower housing costs compared to Wilmington.

Income & Job Market

Dallas, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
1,304,379
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyHealthcareTelecommunicationsReal Estate

Wilmington, NC

Median Household Income
$76,900
Per Capita Income
$43,800
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
115,451
Top Industries
HealthcareTourismTechnologyEducationMilitary

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Dallas, TX
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Wilmington, NC
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.