Miami Gardens 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 Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
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 Gardens
11,627
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 10.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 52.5% | 48.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 15.3% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 17.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $57,673 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $35,074 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 17.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 37.2% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 54.6% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
Miami Gardens, FL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Miami Gardens, FLChicago, IL vs Miami Gardens, FLHouston, TX vs Miami Gardens, FLMiami Gardens, FL vs Phoenix, AZMiami Gardens, FL vs Philadelphia, PA