City Comparison
Lewes vs Milton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Milton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lewes
Milton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lewes is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Milton.
| Metric | Lewes | Milton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $2,100 | -7% |
| Groceries | $460 | $400 | +15% |
| Utilities | $190 | $180 | +6% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,970 | $3,050 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lewes offers similar 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 Lewes is estimated at
$60,000 vs $58,000 in Milton.
| Metric | Lewes | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,627 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $95,000 | $80,875 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Milton sees 0.099999999999998 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lewes | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.10°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 80.80°F | 82.60°F |
| Winter Low | 29.90°F | 27.70°F |
| Rainfall | 49.40 in | 53.90 in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | 19.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | 246 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Lewes 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 | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Milton is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Lewes.
From a growth perspective, Milton 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 | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,312 | 3,567 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 2.85% |
| Median Age | 62.0 | 52.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.20% |
| 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
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.
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
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Lewes and Milton.
Open Cost Calculator