Richmond VA 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)
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Richmond
227,595
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.6 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 43.2% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 42.0% | 32.4% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $57,673 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $35,074 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 37.2% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $419,326 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 398 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1999 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.5% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 63.8°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 58.4 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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