Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 250,887 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.6 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 10.7% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 48.7% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.3% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 17.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $57,673 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $35,074 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.9% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 17.9% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 37.2% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 31.9% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.7% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.4% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 58.4 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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