Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.6 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 41.5% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 37.5% | 32.4% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 2.3% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 17.9% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $419,326 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.5% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 63.8°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 58.4 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.2 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, 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 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rochester, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Rochester, NYChicago, IL vs Rochester, NYHouston, TX vs Rochester, NYPhoenix, AZ vs Rochester, NYPhiladelphia, PA vs Rochester, NY