Tucson AZ 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)
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
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
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tucson
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Tucson
5.0%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Tucson
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,348 | 250,887 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 13.7% | 10.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 58.2% | 48.7% | Tucson + |
| Black | 5.0% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.3% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 42.7% | 17.9% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tucson
$54,546
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Tucson
$31,152
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tucson
$59,120
Wilmington
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Tucson
6.4%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Tucson
18.8%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tucson
30.2%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $54,546 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,152 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.2% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Tucson
51.7%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,946 | $419,326 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
450
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
2150
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
33.5%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
11.5%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tucson
18.3%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tucson
15.7%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tucson
12.5%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.5% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
69.8°F
Wilmington
63.8°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.8°F | 63.8°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.2 in | 58.4 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tucson
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tucson
23.9 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.9 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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