Fresno CA vs Wilmington DE — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 71,124 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.0 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 8.3% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 32.4% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 1.6% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 11.8% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $55,269 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,087 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 23.2% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 46.0% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 41.0% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.0% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.4% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 49.3 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.0 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
Compare More Cities
Fresno, CA vs New York, NYFresno, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fresno, CAFresno, CA vs Houston, TXFresno, CA vs Phoenix, AZFresno, CA vs Philadelphia, PA