Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 77.1% | 48.7% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Evansville +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | Evansville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $419,326 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 398 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1999 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Wilmington
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Evansville +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.5% | Evansville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Evansville +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Evansville +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | 63.8°F | Evansville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 58.4 in | Evansville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 23.2 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. Evansville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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