Is Wilmington, NC or Raleigh, NC the better place to live? It depends on what you want day to day. In the three months ending August 2026, Raleigh’s median sale price was about $422,200, compared with about $469,700 in Wilmington. Raleigh has the bigger job market and airport. Wilmington has lower property tax rates and the beach 20 minutes away.
I’m Tabi, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage in Wilmington. Raleigh comes up constantly with my buyers, both people moving from the Triangle to the coast and people deciding between the two before they move to North Carolina at all. The cities are about two hours apart on I-40 (roughly 130 miles), and I-40 literally ends in Wilmington. They share the same state income tax, so the real differences are home prices, local taxes, insurance, jobs and lifestyle. Here’s how they compare using current numbers.
The quick comparison
- Median sale price (Redfin, 3 months ending August 2026): about $422,200 in Raleigh (down 6.2% year over year) vs. about $469,700 in Wilmington (up 3.2%).
- Typical days on market (same period): 39 in Raleigh vs. 56 in Wilmington.
- Combined property tax rate (FY2026–27): about 90.91 cents per $100 of value in Raleigh (Wake County plus city) vs. about 63.75 cents in Wilmington (New Hanover County plus city).
- Sales tax (NC Department of Revenue, July 2026): 7.25% in Wake County vs. 7% in New Hanover County.
- Average apartment rent (RentCafe): about $1,588 a month in Raleigh (August 2026) vs. about $1,675 in Wilmington (September 2026).
- Average homeowners insurance (Insuranceopedia, same basis): about $1,459 a year in Raleigh vs. about $1,709 in Wilmington. Your quote will depend on the home, ZIP code and flood zone.
- Unemployment (BLS via FRED, July 2026, not seasonally adjusted): 3.2% in the Raleigh-Cary metro, the lowest in North Carolina, vs. 3.6% in the Wilmington metro.
- State income tax: the same in both cities. North Carolina’s rate is a flat 3.99% for 2026.
Home prices: Raleigh’s median is lower right now
This one surprises a lot of people. Redfin’s city median for Raleigh was about $422,200 in the three months ending August 2026, down 6.2% from a year earlier. Wilmington’s was about $469,700, up 3.2%. That’s a gap of roughly $47,000 in Raleigh’s favor.
Raleigh homes also sold faster, with a median of 39 days on market versus 56 in Wilmington. Redfin rated Raleigh “somewhat competitive,” with homes typically selling about 2% below list price.
Keep in mind these are city-limit medians. Both metros have areas above and below those numbers, and the Triangle has many suburbs outside Raleigh’s city limits. Around Wilmington, buyers often compare the city with Leland across the river. My Leland vs. Wilmington comparison walks through that choice.
Property taxes: Wilmington’s rate is lower, and Wake revalues in 2027
For FY2026–27, Wake County’s rate is 53.71 cents per $100 (up 2 cents) and the City of Raleigh’s is 37.2 cents (up 1.7 cents), for a combined 90.91 cents per $100 inside Raleigh city limits. In Wilmington, the combined New Hanover County and city rate is about 63.75 cents per $100.
Here’s a simple example using those rates. A $450,000 home would owe about $4,090 a year inside Raleigh vs. about $2,869 inside Wilmington. That’s a difference of roughly $1,200 a year. Your actual bill depends on the home’s assessed value, not the price you pay, and on any special district or fire taxes.
One more thing to plan for: Wake County’s next revaluation takes effect January 1, 2027, and the county is moving to a two-year cycle, with the next one after that in 2029. When values are reassessed, the rate often changes too, so a Raleigh buyer’s tax bill in 2027 may look different from the current one. Ask for the latest assessment before you make an offer. For a full breakdown of Wilmington’s costs, see my Wilmington cost of living guide.
Homeowners insurance: the coast costs more to insure
To compare fairly, use numbers calculated the same way. Insuranceopedia’s Raleigh page (updated March 2026) lists an average of about $1,459 a year in Raleigh and $1,709 in Wilmington, both for $250,000 of dwelling coverage. Insuranceopedia’s separate Wilmington page shows a higher average, about $3,421, but it uses a different coverage basis, so don’t compare it directly with the Raleigh number.
The bigger story is the direction of rates. In the January 2025 settlement between the NC Department of Insurance and the NC Rate Bureau, the Wake/Durham territory got 7.5% increases in both June 2025 and June 2026. The coastal territories that include New Hanover County got anywhere from about 5% to 16% in each of those years, with beach areas at the high end. Coastal homes may also need separate flood and wind coverage. My Wilmington homeowners insurance guide and my post on flood zones in Wilmington explain what to check before you buy.
Hurricanes: inland is lower risk, not no risk
Wilmington sits on the coast, so storm surge, wind and flooding are real planning factors. My hurricane risk guide for buyers covers how to evaluate a specific home.
Raleigh is about two hours inland, which usually means weaker winds and no storm surge, but it’s not immune. When Hurricane Fran hit in 1996, the NC State Climate Office reported that almost $900 million in damage came from Raleigh and Wake County, and about 1.7 million customers across the state lost power, some for two to three weeks. Wherever you buy in North Carolina, check the home’s flood zone and have a storm plan.
Jobs and the economy
Raleigh has the larger job market. Research Triangle Park, about 7,000 acres between Raleigh and Durham, calls itself the largest research park in the United States, with more than 385 companies and more than 55,000 people working there. The Raleigh metro grew to nearly 1.6 million people in 2025, according to Census estimates reported by Axios Raleigh.
Wilmington’s economy is smaller, with major employers in healthcare, education, the port, film production, tourism and a growing number of remote workers. In July 2026, unemployment was 3.2% in the Raleigh-Cary metro and 3.6% in the Wilmington metro, compared with 3.7% statewide. If your job is tied to an office in the Triangle, the commute from Wilmington isn’t a daily option, but some people make a hybrid schedule work. For a broader look at the area, read my guide on whether Wilmington is a good place to live.
Airports: RDU vs. ILM
Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) is the much bigger airport. It projected about 15.5 million passengers for 2025 and reached 80 nonstop destinations in 2025, including 14 international ones (WRAL, July 2025).
Wilmington International (ILM) set a record in 2025 with more than 1.8 million passengers, up 24%, and 12 year-round nonstop destinations on 7 airlines (WilmingtonBiz, February 2026). ILM expects traffic to be flat or down as much as 6% in 2026 as Avelo closes its ILM base and cuts nine routes, and a $130 million terminal renovation is due in March 2027. Many Wilmington residents drive to RDU for international trips.
Water: both cities publish their test results
Most of Raleigh’s water comes from Falls Lake, with Lake Benson as a secondary source. The system serves about 600,000 people. On its PFAS page (updated September 11, 2026), the city reports PFOA results from non-detect to 4 parts per trillion and PFOS from non-detect to 5.5 ppt. The EPA’s limit for each is 4 ppt. The city says it currently maintains compliance and is improving treatment. Raleigh also lifted Stage 1 drought water restrictions on August 3, 2026, after Falls Lake reached 84% full.
Wilmington’s water comes from the Cape Fear River and local groundwater, and PFAS questions come up here too. My Wilmington water quality guide covers what the local utility reports and what buyers usually ask. In either city, read the annual water quality report for the address you’re considering.
Lifestyle: capital city or coastal town
Here’s the honest version. Raleigh is a state capital with a bigger metro, more jobs, more big-venue concerts and sports, and a major airport. Wilmington is a smaller coastal city with a historic riverfront downtown, beaches like Wrightsville, Carolina and Kure within about 20 to 30 minutes, and a slower pace. Neither is “better.” The right fit depends on your work, your budget and how you want to spend your weekends.
If you’re weighing a move from the Triangle to the coast, I’m happy to talk through specific homes and neighborhoods with you. You can also compare Wilmington with other coastal cities in my Wilmington vs. Charleston and Wilmington vs. Myrtle Beach guides.
Compare Wilmington with other cities
Weighing more than one move? Each of these side-by-side guides uses current, dated sources:
- Wilmington vs. Charleston, SC
- Wilmington vs. Myrtle Beach, SC
- Wilmington vs. Charlotte, NC
- Wilmington vs. Savannah, GA
- Wilmington vs. the Outer Banks
- Wilmington vs. Virginia Beach, VA
- Wilmington vs. New Bern, NC
Thinking about making the move? Call or text me at 910-983-8963 or visit www.makingilmhome.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Wilmington, NC more expensive than Raleigh, NC?
For home prices right now, yes. In the three months ending August 2026, Redfin put Raleigh’s median sale price at about $422,200 and Wilmington’s at about $469,700. Raleigh’s combined property tax rate is higher, though, at about 90.91 cents per $100 vs. about 63.75 cents in Wilmington for FY2026–27.
How far is Wilmington from Raleigh?
About 130 miles, or roughly two hours by car on I-40. I-40 ends in Wilmington, so it’s a direct drive.
Are property taxes higher in Raleigh or Wilmington?
Raleigh’s are higher. For FY2026–27, the combined Wake County and City of Raleigh rate is 90.91 cents per $100 of assessed value, compared with about 63.75 cents for New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington. Wake County also has a revaluation taking effect January 1, 2027.
Is homeowners insurance cheaper in Raleigh than in Wilmington?
Usually, yes. Insuranceopedia’s averages on the same coverage basis are about $1,459 a year in Raleigh and $1,709 in Wilmington. Under the January 2025 NC rate settlement, the Wake/Durham territory got 7.5% increases in 2025 and 2026, while coastal territories including New Hanover County got about 5% to 16% each year. Coastal homes may also need flood coverage.
Do hurricanes affect Raleigh?
Yes, though usually less than the coast. When Hurricane Fran hit in 1996, the NC State Climate Office reported almost $900 million in damage in Raleigh and Wake County, and about 1.7 million customers statewide lost power.
Tabetha Klein, REALTOR® | Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage · 910-983-8963 · www.makingilmhome.com. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Figures reflect sources available as of September 2026 (Redfin city median sale prices, 3 months ending August 2026; Wake County and City of Raleigh FY2026–27 tax rates; New Hanover County and City of Wilmington FY2026–27 tax rates; NC Department of Revenue sales tax rates effective July 1, 2026; RentCafe/Yardi average rents; Insuranceopedia average premiums, updated March 2026; NC Department of Insurance rate settlement, January 17, 2025; BLS unemployment via FRED, July 2026; RDU and WilmingtonBiz airport reports; City of Raleigh water data; NC State Climate Office). Tax examples are estimates for illustration only. Numbers change often. Verify taxes, insurance and flood information for any specific property. This article is general information, not legal, tax or insurance advice.
Sources: Redfin: Raleigh housing market · Redfin: Wilmington housing market · Wake County: Tax rates · Wake County: 2027 revaluation · NCDOR: Current sales tax rates · RentCafe: Raleigh rents · Insuranceopedia: Raleigh homeowners insurance · NCDOI: 2025 rate settlement · FRED: Raleigh unemployment · FRED: Wilmington unemployment · WilmingtonBiz: ILM passenger record · Research Triangle Park · City of Raleigh: PFAS data · NC State Climate Office: Hurricane Fran
