Tallahassee FL 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)
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
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
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tallahassee
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Tallahassee
8.0%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Tallahassee
35.7%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Tallahassee
8.6%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Tallahassee
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 71,124 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 37.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.0% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 50.7% | 32.4% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 35.7% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Tallahassee
$35,704
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,931 | $55,269 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,704 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $64,087 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 23.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.0% | 33.1% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Tallahassee
39.5%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,664 | $327,117 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.5% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 394 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1991 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tallahassee
20.3%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
13.2%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
16.7%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.1% | 41.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 16.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.4% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tallahassee
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.0 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 394 in Wilmington. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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