on $100k a year, leaving San Francisco
changea dispatch from
wilmington
NC
34.23°N
77.95°W
Wilmington has been called 'Hollywood East' for the volume of film and TV produced here (Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill, and dozens of features). The historic riverfront on the Cape Fear is genuinely charming, and Wrightsville Beach is 15 minutes away. The food scene punches above its weight, especially seafood. UNCW keeps it youthful. A coastal city with both beach and downtown charm.
in our guides
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Sunniest affordable US cities
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read the guidethe verdict
lighter monthly cost than San Francisco
In Wilmington, rent stops being the headline. The cost gap shows up every month without you trying.
a quick ledger.
$1,675/mo
47% cheaper than San Francisco(vs $3,146/mo)
4.5%
$400/mo less in state tax than San Francisco
vs 9.3% in San Francisco
$6,283/mo
$1,871 more than San Francisco
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$448k
64% cheaper than San Francisco
vs $1239k in San Francisco
467k
vs 4.6M in San Francisco
field notes, weather & such.
235
pleasant days a year, in wilmington.
San Francisco actually gets more: 312 pleasant days a year.
But the calendar thins out: San Francisco stays 12.9× busier.
54/100
35% lower than San Francisco
vs 83/100 in San Francisco
Closest outdoor draw: Lake Waccamaw State Park, 32.5 mi.
67/100
32% lower than San Francisco
vs 99/100 in San Francisco
5
95% fewer than San Francisco
vs 111 nonstops in San Francisco
neighbors of wilmington on the map of tradeoffs:
compare wilmington with:
