Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 71,124 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.0 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 36.7% | 32.4% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 46.8% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.6% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 11.8% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 23.2% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $327,117 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 394 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1991 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Wilmington
41.0%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Wilmington
16.0%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 41.0% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.0% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 54.4°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 49.3 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.0 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 394 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.0%.
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