City Comparison
Laurel vs Milford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Laurel scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Laurel
Milford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laurel is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
37% lower than in Milford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Laurel's average rent is
48% lower than Milford's.
| Metric | Laurel | Milford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $2,600 | -48% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,275 | $3,600 | -37% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Milford offers 33% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Milford delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Laurel is estimated at
$45,000 vs $65,000 in Milford.
| Metric | Laurel | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,174 idx | 59,016 idx |
| Household Income | $51,200 | $110,669 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Milford sees 1.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Laurel | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | 52.50°F |
| Summer High | 83.20°F | 80.00°F |
| Winter Low | 27.50°F | 23.80°F |
| Rainfall | 46.90 in | 44.50 in |
| Snowfall | 20.40 in | 22.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 242 | 245 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Milford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Milford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Laurel | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Milford is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Laurel.
From a growth perspective, Laurel is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Milford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Laurel | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,200 | 52,684 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Laurel
Advantages
Median home prices and rent are significantly lower than the national average per recent Zillow and Census data.
Rich historic character featuring one of the largest collections of 18th and 19th-century homes in Delaware.
Proximity to natural attractions like Trap Pond State Park and Broad Creek for outdoor recreation.
Convenient driving distance to Delmarva beaches and major employment hubs in Maryland and Delaware.
Tight-knit, family-oriented community atmosphere with active local civic events.
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation infrastructure within the town limits.
Local job market within town is somewhat restricted, requiring commutes for higher-paying professional roles.
Limited local dining and nightlife options directly inside the immediate historic district.
Sussex County property development pressures are beginning to impact local rural aesthetics and traffic on US-13.
Access to specialized medical care requires traveling outside of town to neighboring cities.
Milford
Advantages
Milford features 17 miles of scenic coastline, including the popular Silver Sands State Park and multiple public beaches per city records.
The median household income in Milford stands at a robust $110,669 per the U.S. Census Bureau ACS data.
Crime rates in Milford remain significantly below the national average, making it one of New Haven County's safer communities.
The Metro-North commuter rail station provides direct, seamless access to New Haven, Stamford, and New York City.
Over 88% of local adults surveyed by DataHaven report that their neighborhood is an exceptional place to raise children.
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent of $2,600 is significantly higher than the national average, straining affordability for mid-income renters.
High property demand and limited housing inventory make purchasing a single-family home highly competitive and expensive.
Interstate 95 through the coastal corridor experiences heavy rush-hour congestion and bottlenecks.
The median age of 46.6 years indicates a relatively older demographic base, with fewer young working-age singles.
Property taxes in Connecticut can create a heavy financial burden for long-term homeowners.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Laurel
#327Delaware, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
242/yr
Avg Temp
57.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
65
Milford
#380Connecticut, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,600
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
52.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
82
Business
70
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