City Comparison
Dover vs Milford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Milford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dover
Milford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dover is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Milford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dover's average rent is
44% lower than Milford's.
| Metric | Dover | Milford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $2,600 | -44% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $3,600 | -33% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Milford offers 15% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dover delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dover is estimated at
$52,000 vs $65,000 in Milford.
| Metric | Dover | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,542 idx | 59,016 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $110,669 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Milford sees 6.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dover | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.20°F | 52.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | 80.00°F |
| Winter Low | 27.10°F | 23.80°F |
| Rainfall | 45.50 in | 44.50 in |
| Snowfall | 15.90 in | 22.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | 245 |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dover has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Milford.
Milford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Milford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dover | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Milford is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Dover.
From a growth perspective, Dover is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Milford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dover | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,403 | 52,684 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dover
Advantages
Median home prices in Dover remain significantly more affordable than the national average and northern Delaware markets per Zillow 2024 data.
Strategic location in central Delaware offers easy driving access to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and coastal beaches.
Rich historical heritage centered around the historic Dover Green and colonial-era architecture.
Delaware's favorable tax climate, including no state sales tax and low property taxes, benefits residents' overall cost of living.
Major community events such as NASCAR race weekends at Dover Motor Speedway bring vibrant entertainment and economic activity.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options outside of core bus routes are limited, making car ownership a necessity for most daily activities.
Certain urban neighborhoods experience higher property crime rates according to recent local police department reports.
Job market diversification outside of government, healthcare, and military sectors can be somewhat restricted.
Traffic congestion peaks significantly along Route 13 during major events and rush hours.
Limited high-end nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger nearby metropolitan areas.
Milford
Advantages
Milford features 17 miles of scenic coastline, including the popular Silver Sands State Park and multiple public beaches per city records.
The median household income in Milford stands at a robust $110,669 per the U.S. Census Bureau ACS data.
Crime rates in Milford remain significantly below the national average, making it one of New Haven County's safer communities.
The Metro-North commuter rail station provides direct, seamless access to New Haven, Stamford, and New York City.
Over 88% of local adults surveyed by DataHaven report that their neighborhood is an exceptional place to raise children.
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent of $2,600 is significantly higher than the national average, straining affordability for mid-income renters.
High property demand and limited housing inventory make purchasing a single-family home highly competitive and expensive.
Interstate 95 through the coastal corridor experiences heavy rush-hour congestion and bottlenecks.
The median age of 46.6 years indicates a relatively older demographic base, with fewer young working-age singles.
Property taxes in Connecticut can create a heavy financial burden for long-term homeowners.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Dover
#439Delaware, USA
56.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
56.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
67
Milford
#380Connecticut, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,600
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
52.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
82
Business
70
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