New Haven CT 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)
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
New Haven
36.8%
New Haven +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
New Haven
30.6%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 71,124 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.0 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 8.3% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 32.4% | New Haven + |
| Black | 30.6% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 1.6% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 11.8% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $64,087 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 23.2% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 33.1% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 394 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1991 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 41.0% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.0% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.4% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 54.4°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 49.3 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 25.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 394 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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