Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 71,124 | Boca Raton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 37.0 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 8.3% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 32.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.6% | Boca Raton + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 11.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $55,269 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $38,786 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $64,087 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.6% | Boca Raton + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 23.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 33.1% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 46.0% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 394 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1991 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 41.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 16.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 18.4% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 16.4% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.0 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 394 in Wilmington. Boca Raton has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
Compare More Cities
Boca Raton, FL vs New York, NYBoca Raton, FL vs Los Angeles, CABoca Raton, FL vs Chicago, ILBoca Raton, FL vs Houston, TXBoca Raton, FL vs Phoenix, AZBoca Raton, FL vs Philadelphia, PA