City Comparison
Millsboro vs Wilmington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Millsboro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Millsboro
Wilmington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wilmington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Millsboro.
Housing costs are a major driver: Millsboro's average rent is
17% higher than Wilmington's.
| Metric | Millsboro | Wilmington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,410 | +17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $90 | +44% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,300 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wilmington offers 24% 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 Millsboro is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Wilmington.
| Metric | Millsboro | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $76,681 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 80,717 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $58,671 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Millsboro sees 6.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Millsboro | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.70°F | 55.40°F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | 83.50°F |
| Winter Low | 27.70°F | 25.70°F |
| Rainfall | 54.50 in | 40.80 in |
| Snowfall | 20.10 in | 13.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 255 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Wilmington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Millsboro.
Wilmington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wilmington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Millsboro | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wilmington is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Millsboro.
From a growth perspective, Millsboro is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Millsboro has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Millsboro | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,262 | 73,179 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.50% | 0.78% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 37.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
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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