Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Boston
47.8%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 250,887 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 35.6 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 10.7% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 21.5% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 2.3% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 17.9% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Boston +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $57,673 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $35,074 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 17.9% | Boston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 37.2% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Boston, MA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 31.9% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.7% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 9.6% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.2% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Boston +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Boston, MA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 63.8°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 58.4 in | Boston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
Compare More Cities
Boston, MA vs New York, NYBoston, MA vs Los Angeles, CABoston, MA vs Chicago, ILBoston, MA vs Houston, TXBoston, MA vs Phoenix, AZBoston, MA vs Philadelphia, PA