City Comparison
Dover vs Selbyville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Selbyville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dover
Selbyville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dover is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Selbyville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dover's average rent is
12% lower than Selbyville's.
| Metric | Dover | Selbyville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,650 | -12% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $130 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $2,615 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Selbyville offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Selbyville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dover is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in Selbyville.
| Metric | Dover | Selbyville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,542 idx | 65,306 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $65,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Selbyville sees 4.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dover | Selbyville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.20°F | 56.70°F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | 82.10°F |
| Winter Low | 27.10°F | 27.60°F |
| Rainfall | 45.50 in | 52.70 in |
| Snowfall | 15.90 in | 20.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | 255 |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dover has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Selbyville.
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 | Selbyville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dover is the larger city
— approximately 13x the population of Selbyville.
From a growth perspective, Selbyville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Selbyville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dover | Selbyville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,403 | 3,037 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 2.50% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 44.0 |
| 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.
Selbyville
Advantages
Proximity to Delaware and Maryland Atlantic beaches without beachfront real estate prices
No state sales tax in Delaware, reducing the cost of retail shopping and dining
Property tax rates in Sussex County are among the lowest in the mid-Atlantic region
Violent and property crime rates remain significantly below the national average
Growing selection of master-planned communities and modern housing developments
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure
Seasonal traffic congestion on US Route 113 during summer tourism peaks
Rising housing and rental costs driven by high regional retirement demand
Limited local nightlife and entertainment options within town limits
Humid subtropical summer conditions with occasional high temperatures
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
Selbyville
#102Delaware, USA
67.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
56.70°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Dover and Selbyville.
Open Cost Calculator