Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 10.7% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 48.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 17.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $57,673 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $35,074 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 5.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 17.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 54.6% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 31.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.4% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.2% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Chula Vista +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 63.8°F | Chula Vista + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 58.4 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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