City Comparison
Lewes vs Smyrna
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lewes scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lewes
Smyrna
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Smyrna is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Lewes.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lewes's average rent is
11% higher than Smyrna's.
| Metric | Lewes | Smyrna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,750 | +11% |
| Groceries | $460 | $420 | +10% |
| Utilities | $190 | $190 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,970 | $2,630 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lewes offers 29% 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 $57,912 in Smyrna.
| Metric | Lewes | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $52,722 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $57,912 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,627 idx | 53,255 idx |
| Household Income | $95,000 | $67,048 |
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 | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lewes has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Smyrna.
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 | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 33 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Smyrna is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Lewes.
From a growth perspective, Smyrna 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 | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,312 | 13,936 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 2.90% |
| Median Age | 62.0 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.60% |
| 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
Smyrna
Advantages
Smyrna is one of the fastest-growing communities in Delaware, indicating strong development and opportunity.
The cost of living in Smyrna is generally lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
The town boasts a quality school district, making it attractive for families.
Smyrna's strategic location provides convenient access to larger job markets in Dover and Wilmington.
The town offers a strong community-focused lifestyle with a walkable downtown and local events.
Drawbacks
Smyrna has a higher crime rate compared to both national and statewide averages, with a worsening crime trajectory.
The town exhibits high car dependency due to a Walk Score of 0.
The average commute time of 33.4 minutes is higher than the national average.
Public transportation options, while available, may have limited frequency and coverage.
Despite growth, the town itself has limited economic opportunities, requiring commutes for many jobs.
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
Smyrna
#533Delaware, USA
49.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$52,722
Cost Index
99
Commute
33 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.90%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
68
Business
72
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