City Comparison
Dover vs Smyrna
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dover scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dover
Smyrna
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dover is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Smyrna.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dover's average rent is
17% lower than Smyrna's.
| Metric | Dover | Smyrna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,750 | -17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $190 | -8% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $2,630 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dover offers 16% 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 $57,912 in Smyrna.
| Metric | Dover | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $52,722 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $57,912 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,542 idx | 53,255 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $67,048 |
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 | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dover has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Smyrna.
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 | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 33 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dover is the larger city
— approximately 2.8x the population of Smyrna.
From a growth perspective, Smyrna is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dover has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dover | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,403 | 13,936 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 2.90% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.60% |
| 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.
Smyrna
Advantages
Smyrna is one of the fastest-growing communities in Delaware, indicating strong development and opportunity.
The cost of living in Smyrna is generally lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
The town boasts a quality school district, making it attractive for families.
Smyrna's strategic location provides convenient access to larger job markets in Dover and Wilmington.
The town offers a strong community-focused lifestyle with a walkable downtown and local events.
Drawbacks
Smyrna has a higher crime rate compared to both national and statewide averages, with a worsening crime trajectory.
The town exhibits high car dependency due to a Walk Score of 0.
The average commute time of 33.4 minutes is higher than the national average.
Public transportation options, while available, may have limited frequency and coverage.
Despite growth, the town itself has limited economic opportunities, requiring commutes for many jobs.
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
Smyrna
#533Delaware, USA
49.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$52,722
Cost Index
99
Commute
33 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.90%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
68
Business
72
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