Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Wilmington
8.3%
Tie
White
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 71,124 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.0 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 8.3% | Tie |
| White | 41.5% | 32.4% | Rochester + |
| Black | 37.5% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 1.6% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 11.8% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $64,087 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 23.2% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $327,117 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1991 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 41.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.7% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 54.4°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 49.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.0 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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