The cost of living in Wilmington dropped slightly in the first quarter of 2015 compared with that of the 3rd quarter of 2014, according to a national survey. Highlights of the ACCRA survey, which compares living costs in cities across the U.S., were released Friday by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.

The overall composite index for Wilmington, according to a news release from the chamber, was 99.0, based on a national average index of 100. Wilmington’s 3rd quarter score was 100.5, slightly more than the national average and higher than several other metropolitan areas in North Carolina.

The ACCRA Cost of Living Index measures the differences in the costs of consumer goods and services between cities for a middle-class standard of living, according to the release. The most recent study included 265 urban areas in the U.S. The New York City borough of Manhattan was the most expensive city, with an index of 223.7, more than twice the national average. McAllen, Texas was the least expensive metro area, with an index of 77.2.

Among the regional cities whose figures were reported in the chamber release, Wilmington’s cost of living was higher than that of Raleigh (92.8) and Charlotte (95.9), as well as Norfolk, Virginia (97.4). It was, however, lower than the cost of living in Asheville (99.8) and in Charleston, South Carolina (101.0).

Each metro area’s overall score is based on six individual indices. Wilmington scored below the national average of 100 on housing (88.1) and miscellaneous goods and services (97.8). In the other four categories, local residents pay more than average: groceries (100.9), utilities (110.9), transportation (110.6) and health care (110.6).

The ACCRA index, a service of the Council for Community and Economic Research, is based on local data submitted by metro areas across the U.S. Wilmington’s data is collected by the chamber and submitted to ACCRA for analysis, the release stated.