Plano TX 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)
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Plano
9.0%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 250,887 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 10.7% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 48.7% | Plano + |
| Black | 9.0% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 2.3% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $57,673 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $35,074 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.9% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 17.9% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 37.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 54.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 31.9% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.7% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 17.4% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.5% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.2% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Plano, TX | 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.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plano
27.6 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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