Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 48.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.3% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $57,673 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $35,074 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $59,120 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.9% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 17.9% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 398 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1999 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Wilmington
17.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.5% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 63.8°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 58.4 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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