City Comparison
Laurel vs Selbyville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Selbyville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Laurel
Selbyville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laurel is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Selbyville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Laurel's average rent is
18% lower than Selbyville's.
| Metric | Laurel | Selbyville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,650 | -18% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $140 | $130 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,275 | $2,615 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Selbyville offers 25% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Selbyville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Laurel is estimated at
$45,000 vs $52,000 in Selbyville.
| Metric | Laurel | Selbyville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,174 idx | 65,306 idx |
| Household Income | $51,200 | $65,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Selbyville comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Laurel sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Laurel | Selbyville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | 56.70°F |
| Summer High | 83.20°F | 82.10°F |
| Winter Low | 27.50°F | 27.60°F |
| Rainfall | 46.90 in | 52.70 in |
| Snowfall | 20.40 in | 20.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 242 | 255 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 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 | Selbyville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Laurel is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Selbyville.
From a growth perspective, Selbyville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Selbyville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Laurel | Selbyville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,200 | 3,037 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 2.50% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 44.0 |
| 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.
Selbyville
Advantages
Proximity to Delaware and Maryland Atlantic beaches without beachfront real estate prices
No state sales tax in Delaware, reducing the cost of retail shopping and dining
Property tax rates in Sussex County are among the lowest in the mid-Atlantic region
Violent and property crime rates remain significantly below the national average
Growing selection of master-planned communities and modern housing developments
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure
Seasonal traffic congestion on US Route 113 during summer tourism peaks
Rising housing and rental costs driven by high regional retirement demand
Limited local nightlife and entertainment options within town limits
Humid subtropical summer conditions with occasional high temperatures
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
Selbyville
#102Delaware, USA
67.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
56.70°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Laurel and Selbyville.
Open Cost Calculator