CostIndexUSA

Indianapolis, IN vs Wilmington, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIN
Indianapolis
95.7
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
NC
Wilmington
96.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Indianapolis is slightly cheaper than Wilmington — 0.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Indianapolis, you would need $80,600 in Wilmington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+4.8%
Indianapolis
88.9
Wilmington
93.2
🛒 Groceries+2.4%
Indianapolis
94.3
Wilmington
96.6
🚗 Transportation1.0%
Indianapolis
104.1
Wilmington
103.1
🏥 Healthcare1.0%
Indianapolis
94.2
Wilmington
93.3
Utilities+1.7%
Indianapolis
86.4
Wilmington
87.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wilmington, NC
$80,600
$600 more needed in Wilmington

Formula: salary × (96.4 ÷ 95.7) = salary × 1.0073. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Indianapolis, IN

Median Home Price
$283,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
88.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.7×

Wilmington, NC

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

Wilmington has 4.8% higher housing costs compared to Indianapolis.

Income & Job Market

Indianapolis, IN

Median Household Income
$77,900
Per Capita Income
$44,400
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
887,642
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingFinanceLogisticsSports

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).

Indianapolis, IN
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.