Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 71,124 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 8.3% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 32.4% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $55,269 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.6% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 23.2% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 33.1% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $327,117 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 394 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1991 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 41.0% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.0% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.4% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 49.3 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.0 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 394 in Wilmington. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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