Retiring in Wilmington, DE

Retirement city profile: climate, cost of living, healthcare, safety and more

82°/26°

Climate (Summer/Winter)

$333,751

Housing (Typical Value)

1138.2

Safety (Violent Crime/100,000)

Is Wilmington Right for Your Retirement?

With a reported population of 71,124, Wilmington offers a smaller-city setting for retirement planning. This profile brings its climate, housing, reported crime, healthcare access, walkability and natural hazard exposure into one view so you can evaluate the tradeoffs.

Potential Strengths

Mild summers
Lower housing costs
Moderate city size
Low wildfire risk

Potential Tradeoffs

Wet climate
Higher violent crime
Higher property crime
Elevated riverine flooding risk
Elevated coastal flooding risk
Elevated ice storms risk

Potential advantages. The average June through August high is 82°F. The typical home value is $333,751, 10% below the $371,774 US median. Median gross rent is $1,187 per month, 15% below the $1,400 per month US median. FEMA and NOAA assign a lower risk designation to wildfire.

Potential tradeoffs. Annual precipitation is 50.3 inches. The reported violent crime rate is 1138.2 per 100,000, 217% above the 359.1 per 100,000 US median. The reported property crime rate is 3182.4 per 100,000, 81% above the 1760.1 per 100,000 US median. FEMA and NOAA assign elevated risk designations to riverine flooding, coastal flooding and ice storms.

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Climate

Summer high (Jun-Aug avg)82°F

Winter low (Dec-Feb avg)26°F

Annual snowfall12"

Annual precipitation50.3"

Housing & Cost of Living

Typical home value (ZHVI)$333,75110% below the $371,774 US median

Median gross rent$1,187/mo15% below the $1,400/mo US median

Safety (Reported Crime)

Violent crime rate1138.2 /100,000217% above the 359.1 /100,000 US median

Property crime rate3182.4 /100,00081% above the 1760.1 /100,000 US median

Motor vehicle theft rate669.8 /100,000

Healthcare Access

Nearest hospitalChristiana Care-Wilmington Hospital (1.9 mi)

Hospital qualityNot Rated (CMS)

Primary care accessStrong (1,155 residents/physician)

Walkability

EPA Walkability Index14.9/20 (Above Average)

Population & City Size

Population71,124Classified as a smaller city

Elevation11 ft

Natural Disaster Risk

Riverine floodingRelatively High

Coastal floodingRelatively High

TornadoRelatively Moderate

HurricaneRelatively Moderate

WildfireVery Low

EarthquakeRelatively Moderate

Ice stormsRelatively High

TsunamiN/A

Sources & Freshness

Crime: FBI UCR/NIBRS · Climate: NOAA Climate Normals · Natural disaster risk: FEMA National Risk Index & NOAA · Hospital location & distance: HIFLD · Hospital quality rating: CMS Hospital Compare · Primary care access: HRSA county-level provider data · Home value: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) · Rent: Census ACS place-level data · Population & elevation: US Census Bureau · Walkability: EPA National Walkability Index.
National median/average figures used for comparison (home value, rent, crime, precipitation) are recalculated annually from the same source datasets above.
Data last refreshed: August 2026.
Figures are comparative indicators and may not reflect neighborhood-level conditions. Confirm current housing, healthcare and hazard information with the cited sources before making a relocation decision.

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