Wilmington, DE
Wilmington, DE scores 65/100 (Good) on Your Area Score. It is a smaller city with a more affordable than many comparable markets cost profile, a mixed safety profile, and a manageable climate. Whether it is a good place to live will depend heavily on your budget, neighborhood choice, and priorities.
Based on affordability, safety, climate, infrastructure, schools, grocery access, and risk.
Pros
- Cost of Living
- Climate
Cons
- Infrastructure
- Safety
At a Glance
Why Wilmington, DE scored 67/100
Top strengths
- Cost of Living is one of the strongest categories for this city.
- Climate also helps lift the overall score.
- Wilmington, DE may appeal most to budget-conscious movers.
Main trade-offs
- Infrastructure is one of the weaker categories here.
- Safety may be a deciding factor depending on your priorities.
- Neighborhood choice still matters because citywide averages never tell the full story.
Category Scores
Compared with many major U.S. markets, this city is relatively affordable, median gross rent is about $1,224, median home value is about $231,400, and the local economy may feel narrower than in larger metros. See cheaper cities in DE.
The main risks here include cost pressure, neighborhood-level variation, and local infrastructure gaps. Conditions can vary significantly by neighborhood and property type. Compare safer cities in DE.
The climate in Wilmington, DE is generally moderate coastal. This can be a positive or negative depending on your tolerance for heat, humidity, cold, rain, or seasonal swings.
Larger cities usually score better here because they support more services, access, and everyday convenience.
School quality is mixed to solid overall. Some districts and attendance zones perform better than others, so neighborhood-level research is important.
Grocery access is workable, but store density and variety can be uneven depending on neighborhood.
Living in Wilmington, DE
This section turns the score into day-to-day reality: housing, comfort, family fit, convenience, and the main trade-offs you would notice after moving.
Cost, housing, and daily setup
Compared with many major U.S. markets, this city is relatively affordable, median gross rent is about $1,224, median home value is about $231,400, and the local economy may feel narrower than in larger metros.
- Median rent: $1,157
- Median home value: $203,600
- Best fit: budget-conscious movers
Bottom line
Wilmington, DE is currently rated Good with a MoveScore of 67/100. Its strongest areas are Cost of Living and Climate, while the biggest trade-offs are Infrastructure and Safety.
Climate and comfort
The climate in Wilmington, DE is generally moderate coastal. This can be a positive or negative depending on your tolerance for heat, humidity, cold, rain, or seasonal swings.
Risk and drawbacks
The main risks here include cost pressure, neighborhood-level variation, and local infrastructure gaps. Conditions can vary significantly by neighborhood and property type.
Schools and family fit
School quality is mixed to solid overall. Some districts and attendance zones perform better than others, so neighborhood-level research is important.
Errands and convenience
Grocery access is workable, but store density and variety can be uneven depending on neighborhood.
Entertainment & Things To Do
Wilmington, DE offers strong big-event access, with multiple nearby venues that can support sports, concerts, and major weekend activity.
Best Fit For
- Budget-conscious movers who still want solid city access.
- People who value dining, shopping, events, and a more active city feel.
- People who can handle warmer weather in exchange for broader city amenities.
Less Ideal For
- People who are highly sensitive to neighborhood-level safety variation.
- People seeking a quieter, lower-density feel with less traffic and big-city activity.
Neighborhood Reality
Wilmington, DE is not uniform. Some areas perform significantly better than others across safety, schools, and overall livability. Where you choose to live within the city will have a major impact on your experience.
What stands out
- Wells Fargo Center — about 22.3 miles away
- Lincoln Financial Field — about 22.5 miles away
- Citizens Bank Park — about 22.7 miles away
Relocation takeaway
People who care about weekend options usually want to know whether a city feels quiet, convenient, or event-driven. Wilmington, DE currently leans more toward regional convenience and big-event access.
Crime & Safety Reality
This is a practical interpretation of the city-level safety score. It should be treated as a broad relocation signal, not a substitute for neighborhood-level research.
What the current score suggests
Wilmington, DE has a mixed safety profile. Some areas will feel more stable and residential, while others may require more careful neighborhood selection. The main risks here include cost pressure, neighborhood-level variation, and local infrastructure gaps. Conditions can vary significantly by neighborhood and property type.
What movers should do next
- Compare neighborhoods, not just city averages.
- Check commute routes after dark, not only daytime convenience.
- Look for trade-offs between affordability, access, and perceived safety.
Traffic & Commute Reality
Traffic quality is not just about how many roads exist. It is about whether the city gives you enough route options to handle daily commuting, errands, and regional travel.
How travel may feel here
Wilmington, DE has more limited connectivity, so everyday trips may feel less efficient than they do in larger, better-connected metros. A few strong road connections help with local and regional travel, but commute quality will still depend heavily on where you live and where you work.
Why this matters
Cities with stronger access routes usually feel easier for airport runs, cross-town errands, and commuting to job centers. That does not eliminate congestion, but it does improve flexibility when one corridor slows down.
Primary Access & Connectivity
These are some of the main road connections near Wilmington, DE. They help show how easy it is to move around locally, reach job centers, and make longer regional trips.
Interstate 495
Strong regional and long-distance access for commuting, airport runs, and cross-metro travel.
Interstate 95
Strong regional and long-distance access for commuting, airport runs, and cross-metro travel.
Nearby Stadiums & Event Venues
Nearby venues can make a city more appealing for sports fans, concerts, and large events, but they can also increase traffic and activity on event days.
Wells Fargo Center
Nearby venue that can improve access to sports, concerts, and major events.
Lincoln Financial Field
Nearby venue that can improve access to sports, concerts, and major events.
Citizens Bank Park
Nearby venue that can improve access to sports, concerts, and major events.