Tampa 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)
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
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
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tampa
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Tampa
35.6
Wilmington
35.6
Tie
Foreign Born
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Tampa
21.3%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Tampa
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 250,887 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.6 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 10.7% | Tampa + |
| White | 51.8% | 48.7% | Tampa + |
| Black | 21.3% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.3% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 26.2% | 17.9% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,302 | $57,673 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,513 | $35,074 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.9% | 17.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.6% | 37.2% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Tampa
50.2%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $376,530 | $419,326 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
31.9%
Wilmington
31.9%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.5%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tampa
17.4%
Wilmington
17.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tampa
15.9%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.6%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 31.9% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.5% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
73.4°F
Wilmington
63.8°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.4°F | 63.8°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 58.4 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tampa
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tampa
26.8 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa 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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