Wichita Falls TX 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)
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Wichita Falls
102,558
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Wichita Falls
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Wichita Falls
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,558 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.6 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 70.1% | 48.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 12.9% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.3% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 17.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita Falls +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Wichita Falls
25.0%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,568 | $57,673 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,987 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 17.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $174,763 | $419,326 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 54.6% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Wichita Falls
442
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Wichita Falls
2339
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Wichita Falls +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.4°F | 63.8°F | Wichita Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 28.9 in | 58.4 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 15.8 min | 23.2 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls leads in median household income at $58,568, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Wichita Falls, TXLos Angeles, CA vs Wichita Falls, TXChicago, IL vs Wichita Falls, TXHouston, TX vs Wichita Falls, TXPhoenix, AZ vs Wichita Falls, TXPhiladelphia, PA vs Wichita Falls, TX