City Comparison
Wilmington vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wilmington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wilmington
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wilmington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Dallas.
| Metric | Wilmington | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,410 | $1,412 | -0% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $281 | -36% |
| Transport | $90 | $126 | -29% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $135 | +63% |
| Monthly Total | $2,300 | $2,404 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wilmington offers 26% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wilmington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wilmington is estimated at
$55,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Wilmington | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,681 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,717 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $58,671 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wilmington runs warmer on average — a 55.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wilmington comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wilmington sees 13.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wilmington | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 13.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Wilmington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
For walkability, Wilmington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wilmington | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Wilmington.
From a growth perspective, Wilmington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dallas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wilmington | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,179 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.78% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wilmington
Advantages
Strategic East Coast location with direct Amtrak and I-95 access to Philadelphia, NYC, and D.C.
Zero state retail sales tax, lowering everyday purchase costs for consumers
Thriving hub for legal, financial services, and corporate headquarters
Vibrant Riverfront district offering dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions
Average rent and overall cost of living sit below the national average
Drawbacks
Property and violent crime rates in certain urban pockets exceed the national average
Poverty rate in the city limits remains notably higher than the broader suburban county
State and local income tax structures can feel heavy for middle-income earners
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along I-95 can be frustrating
Historic housing stock often requires significant maintenance and modernization costs
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Wilmington
#506Delaware, USA
52.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$76,681
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.78%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
72
Business
75
Dallas
#525Texas, USA
50.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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