City Comparison
Lewes vs Newark
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lewes scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lewes
Newark
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Newark is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Lewes.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lewes's average rent is
18% higher than Newark's.
| Metric | Lewes | Newark | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,649 | +18% |
| Groceries | $460 | $409 | +12% |
| Utilities | $190 | $371 | -49% |
| Transport | $130 | $351 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $139 | +73% |
| Monthly Total | $2,970 | $2,919 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 106 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lewes offers 33% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lewes delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lewes is estimated at
$60,000 vs $51,960 in Newark.
| Metric | Lewes | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $51,024 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $51,960 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,627 idx | 48,136 idx |
| Household Income | $95,000 | $76,912 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lewes runs warmer on average — a 57.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lewes comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lewes sees 19.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lewes | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 29.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 49.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Newark has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Lewes.
Newark 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 | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newark 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, Newark has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lewes | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,312 | 30,311 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | — |
| Median Age | 62.0 | 22.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.60% |
| 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
Newark
Advantages
Home to Christiana Hospital, Delaware's only Level I trauma center, ensuring high-quality healthcare access.
The University of Delaware provides extensive educational opportunities and a vibrant cultural scene.
Median household income of $76,912 in 2024 is competitive.
Relatively affordable compared to nearby major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and New York.
Average commute time is relatively short at 19 minutes.
Drawbacks
The city's population is projected to be declining at an annual rate of -0.16% in 2026.
Newark has a high poverty rate of 27.73%.
Housing costs are 10.5% higher than the national average.
The median age of 22.1 years suggests a transient student population, potentially impacting long-term community stability.
Utilities and groceries are slightly more expensive than the national average.
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
Newark
#162Delaware, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,649
Avg Salary
$51,024
Cost Index
106
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Lewes and Newark.
Open Cost Calculator