Wilmington affordable, survey reports

By Cam Ellis

It pays to live in Wilmington- almost literally.

In a survey released this month by the American Chamber of Commerce Research Association (ACCRA), the cost of living in the Port City is still below the national average. According to the survey, the overall composite index for Wilmington was 97.3, slightly lower than the national average, which hovered right at 100.

The survey is done each quarter; the most recent one reflected information for the second quarter of 2013. It gathered data from a number of cities and compared the costs  of consumer goods and services that support a middle-class standard of living. The full study results reflect a sampling of more than 90,000 prices from 60 items.

Overall, 304 urban areas in the U.S. participated in the study. Manhattan was the most expensive metro area to live in, with an index of 218.9, more than double the national average. On the other end of the spectrum, Harlingen, Texas was the least expensive metro area to live in, coming in at 81.1.

Regionally, Wilmington’s prices, compared to those of other southern cities, were a mixed bag. Costs for housing and transportation were under the national average, while groceries, utilities and health care all were more expensive than the national average. According to the survey, the most expensive aspect of living in Wilmington is the cost of utilities, which registered a score of 110.8.

Compared to other major North Carolina cities polled, Wilmington’s cost of living was lower than that of Asheville (102.4) but higher than both Raleigh (92.6) and Charlotte (95.0).

Greater Wilmington
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Phone: (910) 343-8600
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