City Comparison
Lewes vs Wilmington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lewes scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lewes
Wilmington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wilmington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Lewes.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lewes's average rent is
38% higher than Wilmington's.
| Metric | Lewes | Wilmington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,410 | +38% |
| Groceries | $460 | $400 | +15% |
| Utilities | $190 | $180 | +6% |
| Transport | $130 | $90 | +44% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,970 | $2,300 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wilmington offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wilmington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lewes is estimated at
$60,000 vs $55,000 in Wilmington.
| Metric | Lewes | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $76,681 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,627 idx | 80,717 idx |
| Household Income | $95,000 | $58,671 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Lewes sees 6.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lewes | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.10°F | 55.40°F |
| Summer High | 80.80°F | 83.50°F |
| Winter Low | 29.90°F | 25.70°F |
| Rainfall | 49.40 in | 40.80 in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | 13.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | 255 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Wilmington 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 | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wilmington is the larger city
.
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 | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,312 | 73,179 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.78% |
| Median Age | 62.0 | 37.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.90% |
| 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
Wilmington
Advantages
Strategic East Coast location with direct Amtrak and I-95 access to Philadelphia, NYC, and D.C.
Zero state retail sales tax, lowering everyday purchase costs for consumers
Thriving hub for legal, financial services, and corporate headquarters
Vibrant Riverfront district offering dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions
Average rent and overall cost of living sit below the national average
Drawbacks
Property and violent crime rates in certain urban pockets exceed the national average
Poverty rate in the city limits remains notably higher than the broader suburban county
State and local income tax structures can feel heavy for middle-income earners
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along I-95 can be frustrating
Historic housing stock often requires significant maintenance and modernization costs
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
Wilmington
#506Delaware, USA
52.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$76,681
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.78%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
72
Business
75
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