CostIndexUSA

Stockton, CA vs Wilmington, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Stockton
105.1
overall index
$2,325/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Wilmington
96.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Wilmington is moderately cheaper than Stockton — 8.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Stockton, you would need $73,400 in Wilmington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing19.4%
Stockton
115.6
Wilmington
93.2
🛒 Groceries8.2%
Stockton
105.2
Wilmington
96.6
🚗 Transportation2.1%
Stockton
105.3
Wilmington
103.1
🏥 Healthcare2.1%
Stockton
95.3
Wilmington
93.3
Utilities44.4%
Stockton
158.2
Wilmington
87.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wilmington, NC
$73,400
$6,600 less needed in Wilmington

Formula: salary × (96.4 ÷ 105.1) = salary × 0.9172. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Stockton, CA

Median Home Price
$522,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,325
Housing Index
115.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Wilmington, NC

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

Stockton has 19.4% lower housing costs compared to Wilmington.

Income & Job Market

Stockton, CA

Median Household Income
$87,400
Per Capita Income
$49,800
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
320,804
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareLogisticsManufacturingEducation

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).

Stockton, CA
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% 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.