Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Wilmington?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Wilmington, you need to earn at least $58,440/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $58,908, which means the typical resident is $468 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 116,933

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,023	$3,410	$40,920	$-17,988
1 Bedroom	$1,213	$4,043	$48,520	$-10,388
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,461	$4,870	$58,440	$-468
3 Bedroom	$1,782	$5,940	$71,280	+$12,372
4 Bedroom	$2,192	$7,307	$87,680	+$28,772

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Wilmington's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$58,908

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$58,440

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$468

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 29.8%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Wilmington

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Wilmington's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,473

Studio

$1,023/mo

1 BR

$1,213/mo

2 BR

$1,461/mo

3 BR

$1,782/mo

4 BR

$2,192/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Wilmington.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Wilmington's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Wilmington

Wilmington is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $468. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,213/month) or studio ($1,023/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Wilmington pushes the required income to $71,280.

For comfortable living in Wilmington without financial stress, target a household income of at least $87,660 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for North Carolina's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Wilmington, North Carolina.

With a total population of 116,933, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 60,402 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $58,440 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

60,402

Active civilian employees in Wilmington

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Wilmington

What salary do I need to live in Wilmington, North Carolina?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Wilmington under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $58,440. The median household income in Wilmington is $58,908.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Wilmington on $58,908?

The affordability verdict for Wilmington is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 29.8%, meaning median earners have a $468 surplus.

What is the average rent in Wilmington compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Wilmington is $1,213/month. With a median household income of $58,908, residents spend approximately 29.8% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Wilmington?

A studio in Wilmington rents for approximately $1,023/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $40,920 to afford this.

Is Wilmington considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $468 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Wilmington is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $58,440 to the local median household income.

How Wilmington Compares

Other cities in North Carolina with salary requirements