Saint Paul MN 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 250,887 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.6 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 10.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 48.7% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 16.2% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 2.3% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $57,673 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $35,074 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $59,120 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 37.2% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $419,326 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 398 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1999 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Saint Paul, MNLos Angeles, CA vs Saint Paul, MNChicago, IL vs Saint Paul, MNHouston, TX vs Saint Paul, MNPhoenix, AZ vs Saint Paul, MNPhiladelphia, PA vs Saint Paul, MN