CostIndexUSA

Scottsdale, AZ vs Wilmington, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AZ
Scottsdale
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Wilmington
96.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Wilmington is moderately cheaper than Scottsdale — 6.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Scottsdale, you would need $74,700 in Wilmington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing23.1%
Scottsdale
121.2
Wilmington
93.2
🛒 Groceries+1.7%
Scottsdale
95
Wilmington
96.6
🚗 Transportation5.6%
Scottsdale
109.2
Wilmington
103.1
🏥 Healthcare5.6%
Scottsdale
98.8
Wilmington
93.3
Utilities5.8%
Scottsdale
93.3
Wilmington
87.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wilmington, NC
$74,700
$5,300 less needed in Wilmington

Formula: salary × (96.4 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.9332. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Scottsdale, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Wilmington, NC

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

Scottsdale has 23.1% lower housing costs compared to Wilmington.

Income & Job Market

Scottsdale, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
258,069
Top Industries
HealthcareTourismTechnologyFinanceReal 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).

Scottsdale, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.