Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 71,124 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.0 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 8.3% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 32.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 39.9% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.6% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 11.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $55,269 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $64,087 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 23.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 33.1% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $327,117 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 46.0% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 394 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1991 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Wilmington
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 49.3 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 394 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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