Sunnyvale 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)
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
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
Sunnyvale
153,455
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sunnyvale
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Sunnyvale
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,455 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.6 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 49.4% | 10.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 30.4% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 1.5% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 49.4% | 2.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 16.7% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $181,862 | $57,673 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $95,752 | $35,074 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 17.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.2% | 37.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Sunnyvale
43.8%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $2,144,024 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
503
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
2388
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 31.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.9% | 17.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.2% | 9.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 12.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sunnyvale
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sunnyvale
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | 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.)
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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