City Comparison
Lewes vs Selbyville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Selbyville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lewes
Selbyville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Selbyville 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 Selbyville's.
| Metric | Lewes | Selbyville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,650 | +18% |
| Groceries | $460 | $420 | +10% |
| Utilities | $190 | $175 | +9% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,970 | $2,615 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lewes offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Selbyville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lewes is estimated at
$60,000 vs $52,000 in Selbyville.
| Metric | Lewes | Selbyville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,627 idx | 65,306 idx |
| Household Income | $95,000 | $65,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Selbyville sees 0.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lewes | Selbyville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.10°F | 56.70°F |
| Summer High | 80.80°F | 82.10°F |
| Winter Low | 29.90°F | 27.60°F |
| Rainfall | 49.40 in | 52.70 in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | 20.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | 255 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 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 | Selbyville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lewes is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Selbyville.
From a growth perspective, Selbyville 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 | Selbyville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,312 | 3,037 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 2.50% |
| Median Age | 62.0 | 44.0 |
| 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
Selbyville
Advantages
Proximity to Delaware and Maryland Atlantic beaches without beachfront real estate prices
No state sales tax in Delaware, reducing the cost of retail shopping and dining
Property tax rates in Sussex County are among the lowest in the mid-Atlantic region
Violent and property crime rates remain significantly below the national average
Growing selection of master-planned communities and modern housing developments
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure
Seasonal traffic congestion on US Route 113 during summer tourism peaks
Rising housing and rental costs driven by high regional retirement demand
Limited local nightlife and entertainment options within town limits
Humid subtropical summer conditions with occasional high temperatures
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
Selbyville
#102Delaware, USA
67.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
56.70°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
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