Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 250,887 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.6 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 11.7% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 76.8% | 32.4% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $419,326 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.5% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 63.8°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 58.4 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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%.
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