Corona 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)
Corona, CA
California · Population: 158,839
- Median HH Income$106,438
- Median Home Price$765,560
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
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
Corona
158,839
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corona
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Corona
37.3
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Corona
24.2%
Corona +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Corona
41.6%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Corona
5.3%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Corona
11.5%
Corona +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Corona
48.3%
Corona +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Corona
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 158,839 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 24.2% | 10.7% | Corona + |
| White | 41.6% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 5.3% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 11.5% | 2.3% | Corona + |
| Hispanic | 48.3% | 17.9% | Corona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corona
$106,438
Corona +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Corona
$40,453
Corona +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corona
$77,230
Corona +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Corona
5.4%
Corona +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Corona
9.1%
Corona +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corona
30.9%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,438 | $57,673 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,453 | $35,074 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Corona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.9% | Corona + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 17.9% | Corona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.9% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corona
$765,560
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Corona
63.4%
Corona +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,560 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 54.6% | Corona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
503
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
2388
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Corona, 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
Corona
35.1%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corona
17.2%
Corona +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corona
15.1%
Corona +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corona
10.8%
Corona +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | Corona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.5% | Corona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.2% | Corona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Corona, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corona
7.9 µg/m³
Corona +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corona
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corona, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Corona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corona
38.4 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.4 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corona leads in median household income at $106,438, 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 Corona. Corona has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Corona has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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