Wilmington, North Carolina
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?
Wilmington, NC has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 106 (near the U.S. housing-cost baseline; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $350,300 and median rent about $1,311, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $63,900. Typical commute is 21 minutes; summer highs average 88°F. Violent-offense rates run about 608.4 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 106U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $350,300U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,311U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $63,900U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.4%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 21 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 608.4per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 88°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
- 125,284City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $63,900Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year19% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 106ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year6% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $350,300City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year15% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,311City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($1,348)U.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.4%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
- 21 min16% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3229% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 608.4annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)Near U.S. avg (586.6)U.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2880.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)7% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 88°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (87°F)U.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 38°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 60.1 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals82% 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 17.4% from 106,754 in 2010 to 125,284 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 6 points higher 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 106 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $350,300 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,311 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Wilmington?
Budget first around $1,311/month rent or $350,300 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 $350,300
- Median rent $1,311/month
- Median household income $63,900
What is the job market like in Wilmington?
Labor-market context for Wilmington: unemployment 3.4% and median income $63,900. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 3.4% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $63,900
How long is the typical commute in Wilmington?
Plan on roughly 21 minutes each way in Wilmington. Walk Score estimates around 32 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 21 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 32/100
Is Wilmington safer than similar U.S. cities?
Wilmington's FBI-derived violent rate (~608.4/100k) 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 608.4 per 100k
- Property 2880.2 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Wilmington?
Wilmington's climate profile: 88°F summer peaks, 38°F winter mornings, 60.1" annual rainfall, and 243 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 88°F
- Winter low 38°F
- 60.1 in rain · 243 sunny days
Which neighborhoods do relocators research in Wilmington?
Downtown is the name relocators hear first; compare it with Midtown and Wrightsville Beach-adjacent once you know your job location.
- Downtown
- Midtown
- Wrightsville Beach-adjacent
Relocators eyeing Wilmington, North Carolina will find roughly 125,284 residents within city limits. Median household income is roughly $63,900, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 106 — close to the national housing-cost baseline (100 ≈ U.S. average). Budget for median rents around $1,311 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Downtown draws the first wave of relocators; Midtown and Wrightsville Beach-adjacent tend to show up once people trade vibe for school or parking tradeoffs. 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.
Piedmont research corridors and coastal storm exposure both matter. With about 60.1 inches of rain a year, wet-season drainage and mold checks are worth asking about. Plan on roughly 21 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 32. Unemployment recently ran near 3.4%, broadly in line with many large U.S. counties. Violent-offense rates near 608.4 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Neighborhoods often researched
- Downtown
- Midtown
- Wrightsville Beach-adjacent
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, 1600000US3774440) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · New Hanover 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 (USW00013748 WILMINGTON INTL 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
Canonical profile · All North Carolina cities · Full city index