Washington DC 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)
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
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
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Washington
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Washington
39.1%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Washington
11.6%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Washington
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 672,079 | 250,887 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.6 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 13.3% | 10.7% | Washington + |
| White | 39.1% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 43.3% | 32.4% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.3% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 11.6% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Washington
6.5%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,287 | $57,673 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $75,253 | $35,074 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $101,182 | $59,120 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.5% | 17.9% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 63.6% | 37.2% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Washington
$580,173
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Washington
41.1%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,173 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.1% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
398
Wilmington
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
1999
Wilmington
1999
Tie
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.0%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 31.9% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.8% | 10.7% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 17.4% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 9.6% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.2% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Washington, DC | 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.)
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Washington
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Washington
32.8 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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