Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Miami
34.2%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 250,887 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 10.7% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 13.7% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 17.9% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $57,673 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $35,074 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Miami, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 31.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 17.4% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.5% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Wilmington
63.8°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Wilmington
58.4 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 63.8°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 58.4 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
Compare More Cities
Miami, FL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Miami, FLChicago, IL vs Miami, FLHouston, TX vs Miami, FLMiami, FL vs Phoenix, AZMiami, FL vs Philadelphia, PA