Cost of Living in Wilmington, MA

Homes For Sale In Wilmington, MA

An Overview of Cost of Living in Wilmington, MA

The cost of living in Wilmington affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Wilmington is 159, which is 59% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Wilmington is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Wilmington falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Wilmington, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 153.4% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Recurring essentials like haircuts, toothpaste, and entertainment, from movies to gym sessions, can really add up in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Wilmington, you you will have to spend 16.7% more than average when compared to the typical prices for these items, making it a more expensive place to live.

Is Wilmington Affordable?

Is Wilmington an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Wilmington is 173.5% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 106.6% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Wilmington has a median household income of $196,937, which is 142.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Wilmington?

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Wilmington, the housing index is 153.4% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Wilmington, the transportation index stands at 4.8% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Wilmington, the utilities index registers at 54% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Wilmington, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Wilmington

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Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Wilmington, MA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Wilmington homeowners, is $214,805. This would allow for a maximum of $5,012 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $121,648 which would result in a maximum of $2,838 to be spent on rental costs.

Massachusetts Sales Tax

Massachusetts Income Tax

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Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.