City Comparison
New Castle vs Millsboro
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Millsboro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
New Castle
Millsboro
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
New Castle is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Millsboro.
| Metric | New Castle | Millsboro | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,650 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $130 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $2,615 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New Castle offers 17% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, New Castle delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in New Castle is estimated at
$54,000 vs $52,000 in Millsboro.
| Metric | New Castle | Millsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,388 idx | 59,184 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Millsboro sees 7.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | New Castle | Millsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.50°F | 56.70°F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | 82.20°F |
| Winter Low | 25.70°F | 27.70°F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | 54.50 in |
| Snowfall | 12.30 in | 20.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | 251 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
New Castle scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New Castle leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | New Castle | Millsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New Castle is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Millsboro.
From a growth perspective, Millsboro is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, New Castle has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | New Castle | Millsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,585 | 5,262 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 4.50% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 42.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New Castle
Advantages
One of the best-preserved colonial historic districts in the United States
Scenic waterfront parks and walking trails along the Delaware River
Favorable proximity to Wilmington, Philadelphia, and major Interstate corridors
Moderate property taxes compared to surrounding Mid-Atlantic states
Active community events, farmers markets, and historical festivals throughout the year
Drawbacks
High reliance on automobile transportation for daily commuting outside the historic core
Limited new large-scale housing inventory within the historic district boundaries
Vulnerability to coastal weather events and occasional river flooding near low-lying areas
Traffic congestion along major regional arteries during peak rush hours
Higher demand driving competitive real estate pricing in desirable historic pockets
Millsboro
Advantages
Delaware has no state sales tax, providing everyday savings on retail purchases and dining.
Convenient proximity to coastal resort beaches like Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach.
Lower median home prices compared to immediate coastal communities in Sussex County.
Active and expanding local commercial sector with new shopping centers and dining options.
Friendly, community-oriented small-town atmosphere with rich local history along the Indian River.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options outside of major highways.
Increasing traffic congestion along major thoroughfares like Route 113 during peak summer tourist seasons.
Rapid development is straining local infrastructure and rural character.
Competitive housing market driven by high demand from retirees relocating to the area.
Sussex County's flat terrain and coastal proximity present occasional vulnerability to severe weather and localized flooding.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
New Castle
#313Delaware, USA
60.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
55.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
Millsboro
#116Delaware, USA
66.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
56.70°F
Pop. Growth
4.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
70
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