Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 250,887 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 10.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 28.4% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.3% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 17.9% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $57,673 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $35,074 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 17.9% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 37.2% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $419,326 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.4% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.2% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 63.8°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 58.4 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX