City Comparison
Laurel vs Newark
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Newark scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Laurel
Newark
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laurel is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Newark.
Housing costs are a major driver: Laurel's average rent is
18% lower than Newark's.
| Metric | Laurel | Newark | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,649 | -18% |
| Groceries | $380 | $409 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $371 | -53% |
| Transport | $140 | $351 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $139 | +65% |
| Monthly Total | $2,275 | $2,919 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 106 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Newark offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Laurel delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Laurel is estimated at
$45,000 vs $51,960 in Newark.
| Metric | Laurel | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $51,024 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $51,960 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,174 idx | 48,136 idx |
| Household Income | $51,200 | $76,912 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Laurel runs warmer on average — a 57°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Laurel comes out ahead with 242 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Laurel sees 20.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Laurel | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 242 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Newark has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Laurel.
Newark scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Newark leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Laurel | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newark 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, Newark has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Laurel | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,200 | 30,311 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | — |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 22.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.60% |
| 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.
Newark
Advantages
Home to Christiana Hospital, Delaware's only Level I trauma center, ensuring high-quality healthcare access.
The University of Delaware provides extensive educational opportunities and a vibrant cultural scene.
Median household income of $76,912 in 2024 is competitive.
Relatively affordable compared to nearby major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and New York.
Average commute time is relatively short at 19 minutes.
Drawbacks
The city's population is projected to be declining at an annual rate of -0.16% in 2026.
Newark has a high poverty rate of 27.73%.
Housing costs are 10.5% higher than the national average.
The median age of 22.1 years suggests a transient student population, potentially impacting long-term community stability.
Utilities and groceries are slightly more expensive than the national average.
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
Newark
#162Delaware, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,649
Avg Salary
$51,024
Cost Index
106
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
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