City Comparison
Dover vs Wilmington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dover scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dover
Wilmington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wilmington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Dover.
| Metric | Dover | Wilmington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,410 | +3% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $90 | +28% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $2,300 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wilmington offers 20% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wilmington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dover is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Wilmington.
| Metric | Dover | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $76,681 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,542 idx | 80,717 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $58,671 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Dover sees 2.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dover | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.20°F | 55.40°F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | 83.50°F |
| Winter Low | 27.10°F | 25.70°F |
| Rainfall | 45.50 in | 40.80 in |
| Snowfall | 15.90 in | 13.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | 255 |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Wilmington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wilmington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dover | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wilmington is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Dover.
From a growth perspective, Dover 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 | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,403 | 73,179 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.78% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.90% |
| 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.
Wilmington
Advantages
Strategic East Coast location with direct Amtrak and I-95 access to Philadelphia, NYC, and D.C.
Zero state retail sales tax, lowering everyday purchase costs for consumers
Thriving hub for legal, financial services, and corporate headquarters
Vibrant Riverfront district offering dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions
Average rent and overall cost of living sit below the national average
Drawbacks
Property and violent crime rates in certain urban pockets exceed the national average
Poverty rate in the city limits remains notably higher than the broader suburban county
State and local income tax structures can feel heavy for middle-income earners
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along I-95 can be frustrating
Historic housing stock often requires significant maintenance and modernization costs
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
Wilmington
#506Delaware, USA
52.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$76,681
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.78%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
72
Business
75
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