Norwalk CA 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 10.7% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 4.2% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 2.3% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 17.9% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $57,673 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.9% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 17.9% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 54.6% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 31.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.4% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.5% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.2% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | 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.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Norwalk. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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