City Comparison
Dover vs Wyoming
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wyoming scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dover
Wyoming
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wyoming is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Dover.
| Metric | Dover | Wyoming | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,450 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $410 | +2% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $115 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $2,380 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wyoming offers 3% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wyoming 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 Wyoming.
| Metric | Dover | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $63,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,542 idx | 65,625 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $68,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.099999999999994°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Wyoming sees 1.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dover | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.20°F | 56.30°F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | 82.30°F |
| Winter Low | 27.10°F | 26.60°F |
| Rainfall | 45.50 in | 46.20 in |
| Snowfall | 15.90 in | 17.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | 247 |
| 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, Wyoming leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dover | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dover is the larger city
— approximately 27.7x the population of Wyoming.
From a growth perspective, Wyoming is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wyoming has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dover | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,403 | 1,420 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 41.5 |
| 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.
Wyoming
Advantages
Delaware's favorable tax structure includes no state sales tax and low property taxes relative to neighboring states.
Violent and property crime rates are significantly lower than the national average, ensuring a secure environment.
Proximity to Dover provides convenient access to major healthcare facilities, shopping, and employment hubs.
Charming historic downtown area featuring well-preserved architecture and a strong sense of local heritage.
More affordable housing options compared to northern Delaware counties and coastal resort areas.
Drawbacks
High automobile dependency with limited public transit infrastructure within the town limits.
Limited local dining, entertainment, and nightlife options directly inside the town boundaries.
Regional job growth within Wyoming proper is modest, requiring commutes for most professional careers.
Increasing suburban development nearby has led to rising traffic congestion along main connector routes.
Humid subtropical summer conditions can bring periods of uncomfortable heat and high humidity.
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
Wyoming
#149Delaware, USA
65.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
56.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
65
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