Athens GA vs Wilmington DE — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 71,124 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.0 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 8.3% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 32.4% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.6% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.6% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 23.2% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 33.1% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Athens, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 394 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1991 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Wilmington
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 49.3 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 25.0 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 394 in Wilmington. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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