Reno NV 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)
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
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
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Reno
3.2%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 250,887 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 10.7% | Reno + |
| White | 63.5% | 48.7% | Reno + |
| Black | 3.2% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 2.3% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 17.9% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $57,673 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $35,074 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $59,120 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 17.9% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 31.9% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.7% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 63.8°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | 58.4 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 23.2 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Reno, NVLos Angeles, CA vs Reno, NVChicago, IL vs Reno, NVHouston, TX vs Reno, NVPhoenix, AZ vs Reno, NVPhiladelphia, PA vs Reno, NV