West Palm Beach 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)
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
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
West Palm Beach
119,508
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
West Palm Beach
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
West Palm Beach
40.2
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
West Palm Beach
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | West Palm Beach, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 10.7% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 44.0% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 31.5% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 17.9% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | West Palm Beach, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,261 | $57,673 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,508 | $35,074 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.9% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 17.9% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.6% | 37.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
West Palm Beach
50.2%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | West Palm Beach, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,650 | $419,326 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | West Palm Beach, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
West Palm Beach
13.0%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | West Palm Beach, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 31.9% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Wilmington
63.8°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
Wilmington
58.4 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | West Palm Beach, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.4°F | 63.8°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.3 in | 58.4 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | West Palm Beach, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | West Palm Beach, FL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Wilmington. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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