Wilmington, NC, “Hollywood East,” is quickly becoming home for many North Carolinians and out-of-staters alike. With its nature views, stellar food scene, and countless ways to spend your time, it shouldn’t come as a shock that nearly 117,600 people are living in Wilmington.
As more people move to Wilmington, it’s important to keep in mind that the median home sale price is $390,000, and the average sale price per square foot is $224. And the average rent price for a 2-bedroom apartment in Wilmington is $1,826.
If those prices don’t fit into your budget, don’t worry. We’ve rounded up a list of the 8 best affordable suburbs of Wilmington, NC, to consider living in – and they’re all under a 50-minute drive from the city. You’ll be close enough to explore all of Wilmington’s best activities, without paying the price of city life.
#1: Boiling Spring Lakes
Median home price: $279,900
Average sale price per square foot: $208
Driving distance from Wilmington: 35 minutes
Boiling Spring Lakes, NC homes for sale
Boiling Spring Lakes, NC apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $279,900, Boiling Spring Lakes is the most affordable Wilmington suburb on our list. About a 35-minute drive away from downtown Wilmington, Boiling Spring Lakes is home to roughly 6,000 people. Living in Boiling Spring Lakes, you can visit Spring Lake Park to enjoy the outdoors.
#2: Murraysville
Median home price: $301,000
Average sale price per square foot: $218
Driving distance from Wilmington: 15 minutes
Murraysville, NC homes for sale
Murraysville, NC apartments for rent
Taking the second spot on our list is Murraysville. About a 15-minute drive away from downtown Wilmington, you can check out Wilmington’s downtown or visit one of the many nature preserves in no time. Living in Murraysville, you’ll want to spend the day at Smith Creek Park where you can boat, fish, or walk along the walking trail. When living in this suburb of 16,600 people, you can also spend time exploring the charming downtown.
#3: Kings Grant
Median home price: $366,575
Average sale price per square foot: $202
Driving distance from Wilmington: 10 minutes
Kings Grant, NC homes for sale
Kings Grant, NC apartments for rent
Just 10 minutes away, you’ll find the suburb of Kings Grant. There’s plenty of charming and outdoorsy activities to take part in when living in Kings Grant. Make sure to visit one of the many local shops and attractions if you move to the third most affordable suburb.
#4: Leland
Median home price: $381,367
Average sale price per square foot: $212
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $2,145
Driving distance from Wilmington: 20 minutes
Leland, NC homes for sale
Leland, NC apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than Kings Grant is the suburb of Leland. About 22,900 people live in this Wilmington suburb, where you can spend a sunny day at one of the many parks.
#5: Myrtle Grove
Median home price: $450,000
Average sale price per square foot: $195
Driving distance from Wilmington: 10 minutes
Myrtle Grove, NC homes for sale
Myrtle Grove, NC apartments for rent
About a 10-minute drive into the city, consider adding Myrtle Grove to your list of suburbs of Wilmington, NC, to consider living in. Home to 11,500 residents, this affordable town can be a great choice for people looking to remain close to Wilmington without paying the price for a home in the city. Living in Myrtle Grove, you can and have easy access to all the attractions throughout the city of Wilmington.
#6: Wrightsboro
Median home price: $497,557
Average sale price per square foot: 218
Driving distance from Wilmington: 15 minutes
Wrightsboro, NC homes for sale
Wrightsboro, NC apartments for rent
Another well-known Wilmington suburb is Wrightsboro, where you’ll find the home prices are $497,557. With roughly 5,500 people calling Wrightsboro home, it’s a great area to consider buying a house or renting an apartment this year. Whether you visit a local park or pick up a pastry at a local bakery, there’s many activities to do and see in this suburb.
#7: Hampstead
Median home price: $514,900
Average sale price per square foot: $202
Driving distance from Wilmington: 25 minutes
Hampstead, NC homes for sale
Hampstead, NC apartments for rent
Claiming the seventh spot on our list of affordable suburbs of Wilmington, NC, is Hampstead, which is roughly a 25-minute drive into the heart of the city. With a population of roughly 7,000, you’ll be living in a smaller area, but there’s no shortage of things to do in Hampstead. Don’t miss out on exploring Hampstead Marina once living in this suburb.
#8: St. James
Median home price: $655,000
Average sale price per square foot: $232
Driving distance from Wilmington: 50 minutes
St. James, NC homes for sale
St. James, NC apartments for rent
Last but not least on our list of most affordable Wilmington suburbs is St. James. About 6,500 people reside in St. James, so you’ll have a fraction of Wilmington’s population while remaining only 50 minutes from the city. Living in St. James, be sure to visit Waterway Park.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Wilmington and under a 50-minute drive from downtown Wilmington. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during March 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com March 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
