Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 71,124 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.0 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 8.3% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 32.4% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.6% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $55,269 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $38,786 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.6% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 23.2% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 33.1% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 46.0% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 394 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1991 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 41.0% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.0% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.4% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.7% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.4% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 394 in Wilmington. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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