Wilmington, Delaware
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Wilmington.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Wilmington?
For relocators asking how much Wilmington costs: the housing index sits at 81 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $224,500 and rents near $1,187. Local median income is about $55,269 and unemployment recently ran 4.8% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 24 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 1498.1 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 81U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $224,500U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,187U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $55,269U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.8%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 24 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 1498.1per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 85°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Wilmington compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 73,176City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $55,269Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year30% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 81ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year19% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $224,500City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year26% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,187City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year12% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.8%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 24 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 6238% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 1498.1annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)155% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 4460.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)44% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 85°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals2.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 28°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 45.3 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals37% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 243As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals9% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Wilmington grew 3.4% from 70,764 in 2010 to 73,176 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Wilmington expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Wilmington runs 19 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 81 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $224,500 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,187 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Wilmington?
Budget first around $1,187/month rent or $224,500 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $224,500
- Median rent $1,187/month
- Median household income $55,269
What is the job market like in Wilmington?
Labor-market context for Wilmington: unemployment 4.8% and median income $55,269. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.8% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $55,269
How long is the typical commute in Wilmington?
Plan on roughly 24 minutes each way in Wilmington. Walk Score estimates around 62 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 24 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 62/100
Is Wilmington safer than similar U.S. cities?
Wilmington's FBI-derived violent rate (~1498.1/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 1498.1 per 100k
- Property 4460.2 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Wilmington?
Wilmington's climate profile: 85°F summer peaks, 28°F winter mornings, 45.3" annual rainfall, and 243 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 85°F
- Winter low 28°F
- 45.3 in rain · 243 sunny days
Relocators eyeing Wilmington, Delaware will find roughly 73,176 residents within city limits. Households here report a median income near $55,269; our housing-derived cost index is about 81 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs). Budget for median rents around $1,187 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
A compact Mid-Atlantic footprint keeps beach, city, and suburbs unusually close. Pack for 85°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 28°F. Commutes average near 24 minutes one-way, with walkability near 62/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.8% for the surrounding county. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~1498.1 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Wilmington is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Wilmington with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Wilmington city, 1600000US1077580) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · New Castle County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00013781 WILMINGTON NEW CASTLE CO AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10