Wilmington DE 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)
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Wilmington
71,124
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Wilmington
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Wilmington
1.6%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Wilmington
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Wilmington, DE | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,124 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 32.4% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 52.3% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Wilmington, DE | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,269 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,786 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,087 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Wilmington, DE | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $327,117 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Wilmington, DE | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 394 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1991 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Wilmington
41.0%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Wilmington
16.0%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Wilmington, DE | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.0% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Wilmington, DE | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.4°F | 63.8°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.3 in | 58.4 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Wilmington, DE | 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
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Wilmington, DE | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, 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 398 in Wilmington. 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, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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