CostIndexUSA

Ontario, CA vs Wilmington, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Ontario
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Wilmington
96.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Wilmington is moderately cheaper than Ontario — 9.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Ontario, you would need $72,500 in Wilmington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing27.9%
Ontario
129.3
Wilmington
93.2
🛒 Groceries4.7%
Ontario
101.4
Wilmington
96.6
🚗 Transportation3.0%
Ontario
106.3
Wilmington
103.1
🏥 Healthcare3.0%
Ontario
96.2
Wilmington
93.3
Utilities40.8%
Ontario
148.6
Wilmington
87.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wilmington, NC
$72,500
$7,500 less needed in Wilmington

Formula: salary × (96.4 ÷ 106.4) = salary × 0.9060. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Ontario, CA

Median Home Price
$576,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Housing Index
129.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Wilmington, NC

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

Ontario has 27.9% lower housing costs compared to Wilmington.

Income & Job Market

Ontario, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
175,265
Top Industries
LogisticsHealthcareManufacturingRetailFinance

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).

Ontario, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% 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.