City Comparison
Lewes vs Seaford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lewes scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lewes
Seaford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Seaford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Lewes.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lewes's average rent is
44% higher than Seaford's.
| Metric | Lewes | Seaford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,350 | +44% |
| Groceries | $460 | $380 | +21% |
| Utilities | $190 | $165 | +15% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,970 | $2,225 | +33% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lewes offers 31% 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 $48,000 in Seaford.
| Metric | Lewes | Seaford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,627 idx | 55,319 idx |
| Household Income | $95,000 | $55,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Lewes sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lewes | Seaford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.10°F | 57.00°F |
| Summer High | 80.80°F | 82.70°F |
| Winter Low | 29.90°F | 28.00°F |
| Rainfall | 49.40 in | 49.00 in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | 19.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | 252 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 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 | Seaford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Seaford is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x 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 | Seaford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,312 | 8,450 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 62.0 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.80% |
| 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
Seaford
Advantages
Median home prices and rent are significantly more affordable than Delaware's coastal beach communities
Home to TidalHealth Nanticoke, providing robust local healthcare access and employment
Scenic location along the Nanticoke River with excellent opportunities for boating and fishing
Low Delaware property taxes help reduce the ongoing cost of homeownership
Strategic central location along U.S. Route 13 with easy access to regional hubs
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation infrastructure outside the downtown core
Property crime rates in certain areas are higher than the national average for small towns
Average local salaries lag behind the national GDP per capita benchmarks
Limited high-end dining and nightlife options within city limits
Summer humidity can be intense during peak months
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
Seaford
#415Delaware, USA
57.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
57.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
70
Business
64
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