Cost of Living Comparison Between Wilmington, NC and Dallas, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Wilmington, NC and Dallas, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,699 per month in Wilmington, NC vs $3,016 in Dallas, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,962 per month in Wilmington, NC vs $4,438 in Dallas, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,226 per month in Wilmington, NC vs $5,859 in Dallas, TX, rent included.

Wilmington, NC is about 11% cheaper than Dallas, TX, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Wilmington, NC and Dallas, TX sit above the global median – Wilmington, NC by 96%, Dallas, TX by 120%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.19 $15.19

$21.63 $21.63

-29.77%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.1 $80.1

$89.6 $89.6

-10.68%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.01 $11.01

$12.17 $12.17

-9.53%

Cappuccino

$5.79 $5.79

$6.34 $6.34

-8.68%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.51 $2.51

$3.04 $3.04

-17.43%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.44 $2.44

$2.41 $2.41

1.24%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.90 $4.90

$7.83 $7.83

-37.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.94 $6.94

$8.10 $8.10

-14.32%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.95 $0.95

$1.03 $1.03

-7.77%

White Bread (500g)

$4.12 $4.12

$3.49 $3.49

18.05%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.81 $5.81

$4.62 $4.62

25.76%

Eggs

$5.15 $5.15

$4.82 $4.82

6.85%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.62 $11.62

$13.28 $13.28

-12.50%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$11.21 $11.21

31.31%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$25.82 $25.82

$18.27 $18.27

41.32%

Apples (1kg)

$6.70 $6.70

$5.84 $5.84

14.73%

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.57 $1.57

8.28%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.82 $6.82

$4.90 $4.90

39.18%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.00 $6.00

$4.06 $4.06

47.78%

Potato (1kg)

$4.08 $4.08

$2.33 $2.33

75.11%

Onion (1kg)

$6.00 $6.00

$3.11 $3.11

92.93%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.95 $1.95

24.62%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.21 $3.21

$2.85 $2.85

12.63%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.02 $8.02

$10.01 $10.01

-19.88%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.58 $14.58

$15.73 $15.73

-7.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.04 $2.04

$3.36 $3.36

-39.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.86 $5.86

$4.66 $4.66

25.75%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.93 $2.93

-13.65%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$78.7 $78.7

$127 $127

-37.85%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.83 $6.83

$3.08 $3.08

121.75%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.83 $1.83

$1.72 $1.72

6.40%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.65 $23.65

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.98 $0.98

$0.92 $0.92

6.52%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$35.2K $35.2K

$35.7K $35.7K

-1.46%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.1K $25.1K

$28.5K $28.5K

-12.25%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$223 $223

$199 $199

12.03%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$55.5 $55.5

$66.0 $66.0

-15.94%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.2 $75.2

$69.3 $69.3

8.47%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$68.2 $68.2

$56.4 $56.4

20.86%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.96 $3.96

$20.24 $20.24

-80.43%

Cinema Ticket

$14.87 $14.87

$14.71 $14.71

1.09%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,317 $1,317

$2,124 $2,124

-38.01%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.2K $24.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70.2 $70.2

$62.5 $62.5

12.41%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.39 $42.39

$48.46 $48.46

-12.53%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.1 $98.1

$122 $122

-19.69%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.6 $69.6

$140 $140

-50.22%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,601 $1,601

$1,768 $1,768

-9.42%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,237 $1,237

$1,450 $1,450

-14.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,318 $2,318

$3,836 $3,836

-39.58%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,125 $2,125

$2,433 $2,433

-12.63%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,809 $2,809

$9,275 $9,275

-69.71%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,692 $2,692

$3,125 $3,125

-13.85%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,004 $4,004

$4,507 $4,507

-11.16%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.03

6.34

-4.89%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Wilmington, NC: September 1, 2026

Last update for Dallas, TX: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,601 in Wilmington, NC versus $1,768 in Dallas, TX. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 13% higher in Dallas, TX, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $80.0 in Wilmington, NC versus $90.0 in Dallas, TX. Groceries tell a different story – $505 in Wilmington, NC vs $425 in Dallas, TX – so Dallas, TX wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Wilmington, NC vs Dallas, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Dallas, TX costs about 12% more than Wilmington, NC, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,048 per month in Wilmington, NC and $4,524 in Dallas, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Wilmington, NC, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $1,317 per month in Wilmington, NC and $2,124 in Dallas, TX. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 19% cheaper in Dallas, TX – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,699 in Wilmington, NC and $3,016 in Dallas, TX. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Wilmington, NC costs $2,699 versus $3,016 in Dallas, TX. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Wilmington, NC. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Dallas, TX makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.