City Comparison
Dover vs Newark
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Newark scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dover
Newark
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dover is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Newark.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dover's average rent is
12% lower than Newark's.
| Metric | Dover | Newark | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,649 | -12% |
| Groceries | $420 | $409 | +3% |
| Utilities | $175 | $371 | -53% |
| Transport | $115 | $351 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $139 | +73% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $2,919 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 106 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dover offers 20% higher 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 $51,960 in Newark.
| Metric | Dover | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $51,024 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $51,960 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,542 idx | 48,136 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $76,912 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dover runs warmer on average — a 56.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dover comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dover sees 15.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dover | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Newark has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Dover.
Newark scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Newark leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dover | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dover is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Newark.
From a growth perspective, Dover is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Newark has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dover | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,403 | 30,311 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 22.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.60% |
| 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.
Newark
Advantages
Home to Christiana Hospital, Delaware's only Level I trauma center, ensuring high-quality healthcare access.
The University of Delaware provides extensive educational opportunities and a vibrant cultural scene.
Median household income of $76,912 in 2024 is competitive.
Relatively affordable compared to nearby major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and New York.
Average commute time is relatively short at 19 minutes.
Drawbacks
The city's population is projected to be declining at an annual rate of -0.16% in 2026.
Newark has a high poverty rate of 27.73%.
Housing costs are 10.5% higher than the national average.
The median age of 22.1 years suggests a transient student population, potentially impacting long-term community stability.
Utilities and groceries are slightly more expensive than the national average.
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
Newark
#162Delaware, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,649
Avg Salary
$51,024
Cost Index
106
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
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