Columbus OH 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 250,887 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.6 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 10.7% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 48.7% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.3% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $57,673 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $35,074 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 17.9% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 37.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $419,326 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 58.4 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
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 398 in Wilmington. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA