Question 1

Is Laurel, DE or Wilmington, DE cheaper to buy in?

Accepted Answer

Wilmington, DE is cheaper. The median home price in Laurel, DE is approximately $209,300 and in Wilmington, DE it is approximately $166,300 — a difference of $43,000.

Question 2

Is Laurel, DE or Wilmington, DE safer?

Accepted Answer

Laurel, DE scores higher on safety. Laurel, DE has violent crime rated Moderate and property crime rated Moderate. Wilmington, DE has violent crime rated Moderate and property crime rated High.

Question 3

Is Laurel, DE or Wilmington, DE more walkable?

Accepted Answer

Wilmington, DE is more walkable. Laurel, DE has a Walk Score of N/A/100 and Wilmington, DE has a Walk Score of 38/100.

Question 4

Which has better schools, Laurel, DE or Wilmington, DE?

Accepted Answer

Wilmington, DE has higher-rated schools. Laurel, DE has a school rating of 7.3/10 and Wilmington, DE has a rating of 7.6/10.

Question 5

Should I live in Laurel, DE or Wilmington, DE?

Accepted Answer

Someone looking for a family-friendly, drive-able environment with decent schools should consider Laurel, DE, which offers a more balanced package overall. However, someone prioritizing an urban environment with proximity to public transportation and downtown amenities should consider Wilmington, DE, though be aware of its higher unemployment rate. Ultimately, if you can live with limited transit options, Laurel might be a slightly better value, but neither neighborhood is perfect.

Category	Laurel, DE	Wilmington, DE
Housing
Verdict	Good for now	Think twice
Median Price	$209K	$166K ✓ Lower price
Median Rent	$928 ✓ Lower rent	$1K
Median Income	$54K ✓ Higher income	$42K
Price Volatility	Low	Low
Getting Around
Walk Score	Car-dependent	38/100 ✓ More walkable
Transit Score	Minimal transit	14/100 ✓ Better transit
Bike Score	N/A	N/A
Commute	45 min	N/A
Safety & Environment
Safety Grade	D+ ✓ Safer	F
Violent Crime	Moderate	Moderate
Property Crime	Moderate ✓ Lower risk	High
Flood Risk	Low	Low
Air Quality	Good ✓ Cleaner air	Moderate
Community
Schools	7.3/10	7.6/10 ✓ Better schools
Best for	FamiliesCommutersRetirees	Budget rentersFamilies seeking good schoolsCar commuters

Laurel, DE vs Wilmington, DE

Bottom line