Richmond VA 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)
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 71,124 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.0 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 8.3% | Richmond + |
| White | 43.2% | 32.4% | Richmond + |
| Black | 42.0% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.6% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $55,269 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $38,786 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $64,087 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.6% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 23.2% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 33.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 394 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1991 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 41.0% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 16.0% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.4% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 49.3 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 25.0 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 394 in Wilmington. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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