Tallahassee FL 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)
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
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
Tallahassee
199,696
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tallahassee
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Tallahassee
8.0%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Tallahassee
8.6%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Tallahassee
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 35.6 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.0% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 50.7% | 48.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 35.7% | 32.4% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.3% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tallahassee
$55,931
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Tallahassee
6.5%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Tallahassee
23.2%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,931 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,704 | $35,074 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.0% | 37.2% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Tallahassee
39.5%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,664 | $419,326 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.5% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
34.1%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tallahassee
20.3%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
13.2%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
12.2%
Wilmington
12.2%
Tie
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.1% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.2% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Wilmington
63.8°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 63.8°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1 in | 58.4 in | Tallahassee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tallahassee
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 23.2 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, 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 398 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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