City Comparison
Lewes vs Milford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lewes scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lewes
Milford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lewes is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Milford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lewes's average rent is
25% lower than Milford's.
| Metric | Lewes | Milford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $2,600 | -25% |
| Groceries | $460 | $450 | +2% |
| Utilities | $190 | $180 | +6% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,970 | $3,600 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Milford offers 6% 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 Lewes is estimated at
$60,000 vs $65,000 in Milford.
| Metric | Lewes | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,627 idx | 59,016 idx |
| Household Income | $95,000 | $110,669 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Milford sees 2.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lewes | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.10°F | 52.50°F |
| Summer High | 80.80°F | 80.00°F |
| Winter Low | 29.90°F | 23.80°F |
| Rainfall | 49.40 in | 44.50 in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | 22.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | 245 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lewes has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Milford.
Milford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lewes leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lewes | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Milford is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Lewes.
From a growth perspective, Lewes is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lewes has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lewes | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,312 | 52,684 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 62.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lewes
Advantages
Pristine coastal access and outdoor recreation at Cape Henlopen State Park
Exceptionally low crime rates and high neighborhood safety profile
Favorable Delaware tax climate with no state sales tax
Charming historic downtown with vibrant local dining and boutique shopping
Strong local healthcare infrastructure anchored by Beebe Healthcare
Drawbacks
High cost of living and expensive coastal housing market compared to national averages
Significant seasonal traffic congestion during peak summer tourism months
Limited rental housing inventory for year-round residents
High vulnerability to coastal storms and sea-level rise considerations
High reliance on automobiles outside of the immediate historic downtown core
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.
Lewes
#160Delaware, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
57.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
82
Business
70
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Lewes and Milford.
Open Cost Calculator