City Comparison
Laurel vs Wilmington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Laurel scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Laurel
Wilmington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Laurel is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Wilmington.
| Metric | Laurel | Wilmington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,410 | -4% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $140 | $90 | +56% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,275 | $2,300 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wilmington offers 37% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wilmington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Laurel is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Wilmington.
| Metric | Laurel | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $76,681 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,174 idx | 80,717 idx |
| Household Income | $51,200 | $58,671 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.6°F of each other.
For sunshine, Wilmington comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Laurel sees 7.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Laurel | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | 55.40°F |
| Summer High | 83.20°F | 83.50°F |
| Winter Low | 27.50°F | 25.70°F |
| Rainfall | 46.90 in | 40.80 in |
| Snowfall | 20.40 in | 13.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 242 | 255 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Wilmington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Laurel.
Wilmington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wilmington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Laurel | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wilmington 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, Laurel has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Laurel | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,200 | 73,179 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.78% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 37.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.90% |
| 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.
Wilmington
Advantages
Strategic East Coast location with direct Amtrak and I-95 access to Philadelphia, NYC, and D.C.
Zero state retail sales tax, lowering everyday purchase costs for consumers
Thriving hub for legal, financial services, and corporate headquarters
Vibrant Riverfront district offering dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions
Average rent and overall cost of living sit below the national average
Drawbacks
Property and violent crime rates in certain urban pockets exceed the national average
Poverty rate in the city limits remains notably higher than the broader suburban county
State and local income tax structures can feel heavy for middle-income earners
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along I-95 can be frustrating
Historic housing stock often requires significant maintenance and modernization costs
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
Wilmington
#506Delaware, USA
52.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$76,681
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.78%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
72
Business
75
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