Ann Arbor MI vs Wilmington NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 250,887 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 48.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 32.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $57,673 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,074 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 37.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 54.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 31.9% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 10.7% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 9.6% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.2% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 63.8°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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