CostIndexUSA

Glendale, CA vs Wilmington, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Glendale
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Wilmington
96.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Wilmington is significantly cheaper than Glendale — 15.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Glendale, you would need $67,900 in Wilmington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing45.3%
Glendale
170.4
Wilmington
93.2
🛒 Groceries9.4%
Glendale
106.6
Wilmington
96.6
🚗 Transportation5.9%
Glendale
109.6
Wilmington
103.1
🏥 Healthcare5.9%
Glendale
99.1
Wilmington
93.3
Utilities44.6%
Glendale
158.6
Wilmington
87.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wilmington, NC
$67,900
$12,100 less needed in Wilmington

Formula: salary × (96.4 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.8486. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Glendale, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Wilmington, NC

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

Glendale has 45.3% lower housing costs compared to Wilmington.

Income & Job Market

Glendale, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
196,543
Top Industries
EntertainmentHealthcareRetailManufacturingFinance

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).

Glendale, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.