Seattle WA 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)
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
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
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Seattle
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Seattle
6.6%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Seattle
8.2%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Seattle
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 71,124 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.0 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 8.3% | Seattle + |
| White | 61.8% | 32.4% | Seattle + |
| Black | 6.6% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 17.2% | 1.6% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 8.2% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,984 | $55,269 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,508 | $38,786 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $64,087 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.6% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 23.2% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 67.5% | 33.1% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Seattle
$871,599
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Seattle
44.3%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $871,599 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
3409
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 394 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Seattle
19.0%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 41.0% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 16.0% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 18.4% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.7% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 16.4% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.6°F | 54.4°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.5 in | 49.3 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Seattle
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Seattle
28.8 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 394 in Wilmington. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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