Tempe AZ 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)
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
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
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tempe
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Tempe
7.8%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Tempe
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 71,124 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 37.0 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 8.3% | Tempe + |
| White | 60.1% | 32.4% | Tempe + |
| Black | 7.8% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 1.6% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 23.1% | 11.8% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tempe
$59,120
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,643 | $55,269 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,371 | $38,786 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.6% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 23.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 33.1% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tempe
$468,328
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Tempe
41.6%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $468,328 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.6% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
450
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
2150
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tempe
18.3%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 41.0% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 16.0% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.4% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.4% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
71.3°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.3 in | 49.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tempe
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 25.0 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Tempe, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Tempe, AZChicago, IL vs Tempe, AZHouston, TX vs Tempe, AZPhoenix, AZ vs Tempe, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs Tempe, AZ