Sacramento CA 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)
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 250,887 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 10.7% | Sacramento + |
| White | 36.8% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 12.4% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 2.3% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $57,673 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $35,074 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 31.9% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.5% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.2% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sacramento +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | 63.8°F | Sacramento + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | 58.4 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sacramento
27.0 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 503 in Sacramento. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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