Spokane WA 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)
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Spokane
229,228
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 81.0% | 48.7% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.3% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $57,673 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $35,074 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 17.9% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $419,326 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 54.6% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 398 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Wilmington
17.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.7% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 17.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | 63.8°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 58.4 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 23.2 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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