City Comparison
Laurel vs Milton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Milton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Laurel
Milton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laurel is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Milton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Laurel's average rent is
36% lower than Milton's.
| Metric | Laurel | Milton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $2,100 | -36% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,275 | $3,050 | -25% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Milton offers 29% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Milton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Laurel is estimated at
$45,000 vs $58,000 in Milton.
| Metric | Laurel | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,174 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $51,200 | $80,875 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Laurel sees 0.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Laurel | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 83.20°F | 82.60°F |
| Winter Low | 27.50°F | 27.70°F |
| Rainfall | 46.90 in | 53.90 in |
| Snowfall | 20.40 in | 19.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 242 | 246 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Laurel scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Laurel leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Laurel | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Laurel is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Milton.
From a growth perspective, Milton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Milton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Laurel | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,200 | 3,567 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 2.85% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 52.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Milton
Advantages
Median household income stands strong at approximately $80,875, reflecting solid local economic stability per US Census data.
Crime rates in Milton are significantly lower than state and national averages, ensuring a safe community environment.
Proximity to Delaware's prime coastal beaches like Lewes and Rehoboth provides exceptional recreational opportunities.
The historic downtown district features preserved Victorian architecture, local boutiques, and the renowned Dogfish Head Craft Brewery.
High homeownership rate of over 80% highlights a stable, invested community of residents per Census Bureau reports.
Drawbacks
Housing prices and rental rates have risen sharply due to high regional demand along the Delaware coast.
Public transportation options within the town are very limited, resulting in high car dependency.
The local median age is relatively high at 52.6 years, which may offer fewer dynamics for younger families or singles.
Limited large-scale industrial or corporate job diversification within town limits requires commuting for certain specialized careers.
Inflow of new housing developments places gradual pressure on local infrastructure and two-lane rural roads.
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
Milton
#82Delaware, USA
68.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
2.85%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
77
Business
70
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