New York NY 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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 York
8,516,202
New York +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
New York
35.9%
New York +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
New York
22.7%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 71,124 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.0 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 8.3% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 32.4% | New York + |
| Black | 22.7% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 1.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 11.8% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
New York +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | New York, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $55,269 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $38,786 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $64,087 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 23.2% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 33.1% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | New York, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | New York, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1991 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
New York +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | New York, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 41.0% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.0% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.7% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
New York +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | New York, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 49.3 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | New York, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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