Temecula 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)
Temecula, CA
California · Population: 110,404
- Median HH Income$117,840
- Median Home Price$769,756
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+39.2%
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
Temecula
110,404
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Temecula
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Temecula
36.3
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Temecula
57.0%
Temecula +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Temecula
4.3%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Temecula
11.5%
Temecula +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Temecula
28.5%
Temecula +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Temecula
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Temecula, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,404 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 16.6% | 10.7% | Temecula + |
| White | 57.0% | 48.7% | Temecula + |
| Black | 4.3% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 11.5% | 2.3% | Temecula + |
| Hispanic | 28.5% | 17.9% | Temecula + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Temecula
$117,840
Temecula +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Temecula
$44,826
Temecula +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Temecula
$77,230
Temecula +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Temecula
5.8%
Temecula +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Temecula
7.4%
Temecula +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Temecula
39.2%
Temecula +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Temecula, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $117,840 | $57,673 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,826 | $35,074 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Temecula + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Temecula + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 17.9% | Temecula + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.2% | 37.2% | Temecula + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Temecula
$769,756
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Temecula
67.7%
Temecula +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Temecula, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $769,756 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.7% | 54.6% | Temecula + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Temecula
503
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Temecula
2388
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Temecula, 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
Temecula
33.0%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Temecula
9.6%
Temecula +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Temecula
6.8%
Temecula +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Temecula
15.9%
Temecula +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Temecula
9.8%
Temecula +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Temecula, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.0% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.7% | Temecula + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.4% | Temecula + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 9.6% | Temecula + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 17.5% | Temecula + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.2% | Temecula + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Temecula
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Temecula
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Temecula, 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.)
Temecula
7.9 µg/m³
Temecula +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Temecula
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Temecula, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Temecula + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Temecula
38.7 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Temecula, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.7 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Temecula leads in median household income at $117,840, 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 Temecula. Temecula has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Temecula has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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