City Comparison
Lewes vs New Castle
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lewes scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lewes
New Castle
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
New Castle is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Lewes.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lewes's average rent is
18% higher than New Castle's.
| Metric | Lewes | New Castle | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,650 | +18% |
| Groceries | $460 | $420 | +10% |
| Utilities | $190 | $175 | +9% |
| Transport | $130 | $115 | +13% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,970 | $2,600 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lewes offers similar average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, New Castle delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lewes is estimated at
$60,000 vs $54,000 in New Castle.
| Metric | Lewes | New Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $54,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,627 idx | 69,388 idx |
| Household Income | $95,000 | $65,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.6°F of each other.
For sunshine, New Castle comes out ahead with 10 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lewes sees 7.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lewes | New Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.10°F | 55.50°F |
| Summer High | 80.80°F | 82.50°F |
| Winter Low | 29.90°F | 25.70°F |
| Rainfall | 49.40 in | 42.30 in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | 12.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | 258 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
New Castle 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 | New Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 65.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New Castle is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x 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 | New Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,312 | 5,585 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 62.0 | 41.0 |
| 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
New Castle
Advantages
One of the best-preserved colonial historic districts in the United States
Scenic waterfront parks and walking trails along the Delaware River
Favorable proximity to Wilmington, Philadelphia, and major Interstate corridors
Moderate property taxes compared to surrounding Mid-Atlantic states
Active community events, farmers markets, and historical festivals throughout the year
Drawbacks
High reliance on automobile transportation for daily commuting outside the historic core
Limited new large-scale housing inventory within the historic district boundaries
Vulnerability to coastal weather events and occasional river flooding near low-lying areas
Traffic congestion along major regional arteries during peak rush hours
Higher demand driving competitive real estate pricing in desirable historic pockets
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
New Castle
#313Delaware, USA
60.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
55.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
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