City Comparison
Camden vs New Castle
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Camden scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Camden
New Castle
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Camden is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in New Castle.
Housing costs are a major driver: Camden's average rent is
12% lower than New Castle's.
| Metric | Camden | New Castle | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,650 | -12% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $115 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,390 | $2,600 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New Castle offers 7% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, New Castle delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Camden is estimated at
$52,000 vs $54,000 in New Castle.
| Metric | Camden | New Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $54,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,286 idx | 69,388 idx |
| Household Income | $71,200 | $65,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.8°F of each other.
For sunshine, New Castle comes out ahead with 11 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Camden sees 4.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Camden | New Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.30°F | 55.50°F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | 82.50°F |
| Winter Low | 26.60°F | 25.70°F |
| Rainfall | 46.20 in | 42.30 in |
| Snowfall | 17.20 in | 12.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | 258 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
New Castle scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New Castle leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Camden | New Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 65.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New Castle is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Camden.
From a growth perspective, Camden is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, New Castle has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Camden | New Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,715 | 5,585 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Camden
Advantages
Historic small-town charm with quiet, family-friendly residential neighborhoods
Convenient central Delaware location close to Dover Air Force Base and state capital amenities
Affordable housing options compared to major East Coast metropolitan areas
Low crime rates providing a secure environment for families and retirees
Easy driving access to Delaware beaches and major regional employment centers
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transit options for daily commuting
Limited local nightlife and entertainment options within town limits
Humid subtropical summer climate brings high humidity levels
Proximity to major air force operations results in occasional aircraft noise
Modest job growth within the immediate municipal boundaries
New Castle
Advantages
One of the best-preserved colonial historic districts in the United States
Scenic waterfront parks and walking trails along the Delaware River
Favorable proximity to Wilmington, Philadelphia, and major Interstate corridors
Moderate property taxes compared to surrounding Mid-Atlantic states
Active community events, farmers markets, and historical festivals throughout the year
Drawbacks
High reliance on automobile transportation for daily commuting outside the historic core
Limited new large-scale housing inventory within the historic district boundaries
Vulnerability to coastal weather events and occasional river flooding near low-lying areas
Traffic congestion along major regional arteries during peak rush hours
Higher demand driving competitive real estate pricing in desirable historic pockets
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Camden
#219Delaware, USA
63.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
56.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
76
Business
67
New Castle
#313Delaware, USA
60.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
55.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
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