City Comparison · 2026
Wilmington vs Los Angeles
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Wilmington = $168k in Los Angeles
Metric
Wilmington
Los Angeles
COL Index
✓1.05
1.76
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,350/mo
$2,450/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,680/mo
$3,200/mo
State Income Tax
DE
CA
$100k Take-Home
$73,152
✓$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
26.85%
✓26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$56,952
$43,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Wilmington DE | Los Angeles CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,304 $3,942/mo · 21.16% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,152 $6,096/mo · 26.85% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $104,394 $8,700/mo · 30.4% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wilmington or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Wilmington has a cost-of-living index of 1.05 while Los Angeles is 1.76 (1.00 = US average). Wilmington is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Wilmington is $1,350/month vs $2,450/month in Los Angeles.
How much more do you need to earn in Los Angeles vs Wilmington?
$100k in Wilmington = $168k in Los Angeles. Cost of living in Los Angeles is higher by 67.6%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Wilmington or Los Angeles?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,152 in DE (Wilmington) and $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $56,952 in Wilmington vs $43,798 in Los Angeles.
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