Cost of Living in Wilmington, NC

Are you planning a move to North Carolina in the near future and interested in learning more about the cost of living in Wilmington, NC? This article provides everything you need to know.

Moving to a new city can feel overwhelming. The best thing you can do is gather information about the city.

The cost of living includes housing, healthcare, groceries, transport, and education. Entertainment can also be added to the cost of living.

We break down each category and tell you how much you’ll be spending on it each month.  The hope is that you can create a budget with the cost of living in mind.

How does the cost of living in Wilmington stack up to other coastal cities in the United States? Continue reading to find out.

THE COST OF LIVING IN WILMINGTON NC

The average cost of living in Wilmington, NC is $1,659 for one person and $3,912 for a family of four.

The average living costs without rent are $719 and $2,341 respectively.

Now, let’s dive into the different categories and take a look at their monthly costs.

Housing

Housing has the biggest contribution to the cost of living in Wilmington, NC. It’s the top concern when moving to a new city, and often we won’t relocate if housing is an issue.

A single person could spend $940 on rent and utilities in Wilmington each month. This increases to $1,571 for a family of four.

Renting in Wilmington, NC

The cost of rent in Wilmington, NC is $874 for one person. This is less than the national average of $949.  A cheap one-bedroom could cost even less at $707.

A three-bedroom apartment Downtown is more expensive at $1,562. A cheaper three-bedroom is only $300 less.

Buying Property in Wilmington, NC

The median home price in Wilmington, NC is $224,300 which is more than the national average of $184,700.

This could end up being more expensive depending on the neighborhood.

River’s Edge is one of the more desirable neighborhoods. Situated near the Cape Fear River, it is a wonderful family-friendly neighborhood. It is safe and near to both schools and beaches.

At $281,892, houses in this neighborhood are not much more than Wilmington’s average.

Then, there is the Arboretum Dr/Pembroke Jones Dr neighborhood. This is the most expensive neighborhood in Wilmington. At $965,262, it is also 95.5% more than the national average.

This is a coastal suburb, and many of the houses remain empty for some or most of the year. They are either used as student residences or vacation homes.

Utilities

Utilities play an important role in the cost of living in Wilmington, NC. These utilities include water, heating, electricity, etc.

The cost of utilities for one person is $117 a month, and $181 for a family of four. An unlimited Internet plan costs $82.7 a month.

While neither of these seems particularly much, it is necessary to add them to your budget.

Food and Groceries

Groceries are the second most important factor in the cost of living in Wilmington, NC.

The cost of groceries in Wilmington is 3% above the national average.

A gallon of milk costs $2, bread is $3.43, and eggs are $2.81 a carton. A steak round could cost $6.65 a pound, but chicken breasts are cheaper at $3.27.

Apple and oranges are a bit pricey too, at $2.49 a pound, but vegetables are $2. You could get a nice mid-priced bottle of wine for $9.98 and beer for $2.89.

Even though it is a little more than the national average, it’s still less than cities like New York.

Eating Out

Not having to cook your meals is a luxury. Most people eat out at least a few times a month, and this should be included in your budget.

Fast food like McDonald’s costs $7.02 and you can get a pizza for $8.99. Dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant is between $49 and $55.5.

If you don’t like packing lunch, a lunch menu costs around $14.9 and a cappuccino is $3.9.

Farmer’s Market

The Riverfront Farmers Market is every Saturday from March 27th to November 20th.

It’s held at the Riverwalk boardwalk Downtown. It’s the longest-running Farmers Market in Wilmington.

The market features many farmers and artisans selling their wares. You can find almost anything here, not only fruit and vegetables.

They sell plants, flowers, herbal remedies, honey, herbs, preserves, and cooked meals. You can even find accessories like bags and jewelry.

The market opens at 8 am and closes at 1 pm.

Clothing

The cost of clothing in Wilmington is more expensive than in a smaller town like Idaho Falls.

Branded Jeans like Levi’s are $47.50 and branded sneakers are $82.58. A summer dress at a store like H&M is $56.22.

There are inexpensive stores as well, just like every city and town. Make sure that you factor new clothing into your budget. It might be good to get settled in for a few months before buying new clothes.

Transportation

Transportation costs can often be overlooked. But it’s important to know how much of your budget to divide into it.

The cost of transportation is 3% higher in Wilmington than the national average. Gas is $2.50 a gallon and a 5-mile taxi ride is $13.3.

A one-way local transport ticket is $2 but you can get a monthly pass for $80 if needed.

One person spends an average of $54.5 a month on transportation fees. This nearly triples for a family of four at $140 a month.

Healthcare

The cost of healthcare is 14% more in Wilmington. Cold medicine is $8.27 for a week’s supply and it’s roughly $126.21 to see a doctor.

The dentist and optometrist are $120.22 and $118.26 respectively.

Healthcare does not always factor into the cost of living in Wilmington, NC. But, especially if you have a medical condition, it is a good idea to set aside funds for emergencies.

Education

The cost of education in Wilmington is quite a bit more than in other towns. Preschool/kindergarten fees are $950 a month. International primary school fees are $13,525 a year, as well.

Of course, this cost of living in Wilmington, NC only applies if you have young children.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington

If you (or your child) are looking into colleges, the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is a good bet.

UNCW has four main categories of undergraduate learning. These categories are:

• Cameron School of Business

• College of Arts and Science

• College of Health and Human Services

• Watson College of Education

If you are a Graduate moving to Wilmington, you can get your Master’s here. They have Doctorate modules available as well, for those in the medical field.

The cost for a semester at UNCW are as follows:

• Undergraduate studies

• • Non-resident: $39,920

  • Resident: $25,812

• Graduate studies:

• • Non-resident: $40,651

  • Resident: 26,823

These costs include tuition, housing, meals, transport, books, and supplies, etc.

The college offers financial aid to those who need it. There are forms on the college website that you can complete.

Entertainment

Recreational activities aren’t hard to find in Wilmington. The YMCA manages two pools that offer public swimming, swim lessons, and aerobics.

The entry fee is $3 for adults and $1 for children.

A gym membership is $41.61 a month and you can rent a tennis court for $3.56 an hour. A movie ticket costs $11.25.

There is also the Inland Greens Golf Course. You can get an unlimited monthly pass for $60. Daily entry is $8 for 9 Holes and $13 for 18 Holes.

Wilmington has a rich history, and it’s evident it’s many attractions. There are several museums, gardens, and churches. The Historic District, Riverwalk, and USS North Carolina are the most popular attractions.

Museums

Burgin-Wright House and Garden

This museum house is a lovely example of Georgian architecture. It dates back to the colonial era and has been fully restored.

The entire house is furnished with antiques dating back to the pre-revolutionary era. Even the extensive gardens are a beautiful colonial style.

Wilmington is an old town, so what makes this museum special? Well, it’s the only colonial-era house that is open to the public.

Entry fees:

• Adults: $14

• Seniors: $12

• Military (active/retired): $12

• Students (college ID required): $12

• Youth (6 – 18 years): $7

• Kids 5 and under: Free

Battleship North Carolina

The USS North Carolina is a WWII battleship. Visitors can explore the ship and experience the history of the crew.

Entry fees (tickets are sold on-site):

• Adults (from 12 years): $14

• Seniors: $10

• Military (active/retired, military spouses and dependents – ID required): $10

• Children (6 – 11 years): $6

• Under 5-years: Free

Cameron Art Museum

The Cameron Art Museum has a jazz evening on the first Thursday of every month. The Jazz@Cam features the best of both regional and local jazz.

Entry fee: $30 (students and military pay $15)

Time: 6:30 pm to 8 pm

Riverwalk

The Riverwalk boardwalk is one of the top attractions in Wilmington. It stretches along the Cape Fear River waterfront in the popular River District.

There are dozens of pubs, restaurants, and cafes to choose from. There are also many souvenir and boutique shops.

This is also where the weekly Farmers Market takes place each Saturday morning in the summer.

Notable sights include the USS North Carolina and the Cotton Exchange.

Historic District

The Historic District has dozens of local restaurants, cafes, and pubs. Since it’s situated close to the river, the seafood is local and fresh.

There are often street performers, and music performances, especially in the evening. The district contains several museums, churches, gardens, etc.

Guided tours are available as well.

Salary

The average household income for Wilmington is $56,134 with the monthly incoming being $4,677. This is much less than a big city.

But a city like New York with an average salary of $71,265, has a higher cost of living too.

If you earn $77,795 as a nurse in Wilmington, you’ll need $148,274 in New York. That’s the only way to maintain your standard of living.

Popular jobs in Wilmington and salaries:

• bartender:$25,350

• Bank Teller: $420,939

• Personal Trained: $48,956

• Registered Nurse: $77,795

• Judge: $100,064

• Pharmacist: $48,596

Can Live on $56,134 in  Wilmington, NC?

You can live comfortably in Wilmington for $56,134. Salary is intertwined with the cost of living in Wilmington, NC.

The cost of living in Wilmington is $1,659 per person per month and $3,912 for a family.

This average cost assumes that the single person lives alone and has no dependents. It also assumes that a family of four would be a dual-income household.

An average salary will cover the costs and leave funds left over for entertainment.

FINAL NOTE

Moving to a new city is a big task, but having a budget will cut some of the stress. The cost of living in Wilmington, NC is 5% more than the national average. But that doesn’t mean you can’t live comfortably.

If you are planning a move to Wilmington in the near future consider partnering with a professional moving company in Wilmington that can take care of the entire moving process for you. When you hire Miracle Movers you can count on a professional team of movers that will eliminate the stress from moving day. Not only will we take care of all of the heavy lifting that is so exhausting, we can also take care of all the packing and organization as well. Give us a call or fill out the online contact form to request a complimentary quote today. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you!