Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Wilmington
52.3%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 71,124 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.0 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 25.0% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 62.9% | 52.3% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.6% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 23.2% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $327,117 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 46.0% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Wilmington
41.0%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Wilmington
16.0%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Wilmington
13.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 41.0% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.0% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 25.0 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.0%.
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