Wilmington 64 Good
Wilmington Livability #52 ranked city in Delaware#14,251 ranked city in the USARanks better than 51% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Wilmington

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Ratings Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Crime Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Wilmington?

Located in the state of Delaware, Wilmington is a moderately-sized city with a population of 72,823 people. With a population density of 6,679 people per square mile, Wilmington is well above the nation's average density level. Wilmington is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (35%) and Black or African American (57%). All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 33% of the Wilmington population is married. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Wilmington, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 23 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Wilmington could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Delaware if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Wilmington and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, commute, education, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Delaware and national averages.

With a livability score of 62 out of 100, Wilmington is ranked #15,574 in the United States and #52 in Delaware. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Wilmington has higher than average grades for the following: cost of living (B+) and housing (A). On a more negative note, Wilmington does not have favorable grades for the following: amenities (F), crime (F) and education (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Wilmington can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Wilmington is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Wilmington come in at $314,843, which is 25% lower than the Delaware average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Wilmington, the home price to income ratio is 4.7, which is 0% lower than the Delaware average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Wilmington

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Compare Wilmington, DE Livability

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      Wilmington transportation information

      Statistic Wilmington Delaware National
      Average one way commute23min26min26min
      Workers who drive to work62.9%81.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.2%8.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit11.1%2.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk7.5%2.1%2.8%
      Working from home8.0%4.3%4.6%
      Source: The Wilmington, DE data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.