What is the cost of living in Wilson, NC?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Wilson has an overall cost of living index of 95, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to North Carolina, Wilson has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than North Carolina's index of 95.
The standard of living in Wilson ranks as #55 most affordable out of the 159 places we measured in North Carolina. By definition, that implies Wilson ranks as the #104 most expensive place in the Tar Heel State.
For more reading on life in Wilson, check out:
Wilson Cost Of Living Vs. North Carolina
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Wilson. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Wilson is 100.
The Groceries index in Wilson is 100.
The Health index in Wilson is 79.
The Housing index in Wilson is 98.
The Transportation index in Wilson is 97.
The Utilities index in Wilson is 101.
| Living Expense | Wilson | North Carolina | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Services | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Health | 79 | 89 | 100 |
| Housing | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 101 | 100 |
Wilson Cost Of Living Compared To North Carolina Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around North Carolina, check out:
- Most Expensive Cities In North Carolina
- Most Affordable Cities In North Carolina
- Average Rent In North Carolina
Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Wilson, NC Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in North Carolina, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Wilson is $218,942.
The Median Rent in Wilson is $971.
The Median Income in Wilson is $52,485.
The Home Value To Income in Wilson is 4.2x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Wilson is 0.22x.
| Statistic | Wilson | North Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $218,942 | $336,407 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $971 | $1,228 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $52,485 | $72,388 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.2x | 4.6x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.22x | 0.2x | 0.21x |
Wilson, NC Costs By Category
Detailed Wilson Services costs vs. North Carolina
| Item | Wilson | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.09 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $10.27 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $11.0 | $18 |
| Haircut | $19.0 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $29.58 | $45.56 |
Detailed Wilson Groceries costs vs. North Carolina
| Item | Wilson | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.93 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.59 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.57 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $5.18 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $10.47 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $10.29 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.65 | $3.7 |
Detailed Wilson Health costs vs. North Carolina
| Item | Wilson | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $141.56 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $136.38 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $100.17 | $113.29 |
Detailed Wilson Transportation costs vs. North Carolina
| Item | Wilson | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.45 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $63.55 | $59.92 |
Detailed Wilson Utilities costs vs. North Carolina
| Item | Wilson | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $201.14 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $187.32 | $192.25 |
Wilson SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Wilson
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Wilson. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Cape Girardeau, MO has a cost of living index of 92, 1.0x Wilson.
Paducah, KY has a cost of living index of 89, 0.9x Wilson.
Jackson, MO has a cost of living index of 96, 1.0x Wilson.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Wilson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau, MO | 40,344 | 92 | 1.0x |
| Paducah, KY | 26,845 | 89 | 0.9x |
| Jackson, MO | 15,659 | 96 | 1.0x |
| Metropolis, IL | 5,864 | 85 | 0.9x |
