City Comparison
Dover vs Milton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Milton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dover
Milton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dover is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Milton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dover's average rent is
31% lower than Milton's.
| Metric | Dover | Milton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $2,100 | -31% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $3,050 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Milton offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Milton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dover is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Milton.
| Metric | Dover | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,542 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $80,875 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Milton sees 4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dover | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.20°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | 82.60°F |
| Winter Low | 27.10°F | 27.70°F |
| Rainfall | 45.50 in | 53.90 in |
| Snowfall | 15.90 in | 19.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | 246 |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Dover scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dover leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dover | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dover is the larger city
— approximately 11x the population of Milton.
From a growth perspective, Milton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Milton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dover | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,403 | 3,567 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 2.85% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 52.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Milton
Advantages
Median household income stands strong at approximately $80,875, reflecting solid local economic stability per US Census data.
Crime rates in Milton are significantly lower than state and national averages, ensuring a safe community environment.
Proximity to Delaware's prime coastal beaches like Lewes and Rehoboth provides exceptional recreational opportunities.
The historic downtown district features preserved Victorian architecture, local boutiques, and the renowned Dogfish Head Craft Brewery.
High homeownership rate of over 80% highlights a stable, invested community of residents per Census Bureau reports.
Drawbacks
Housing prices and rental rates have risen sharply due to high regional demand along the Delaware coast.
Public transportation options within the town are very limited, resulting in high car dependency.
The local median age is relatively high at 52.6 years, which may offer fewer dynamics for younger families or singles.
Limited large-scale industrial or corporate job diversification within town limits requires commuting for certain specialized careers.
Inflow of new housing developments places gradual pressure on local infrastructure and two-lane rural roads.
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
Milton
#82Delaware, USA
68.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
2.85%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
77
Business
70
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