City Comparison
New Castle vs Milton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Milton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
New Castle
Milton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
New Castle is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Milton.
Housing costs are a major driver: New Castle's average rent is
21% lower than Milton's.
| Metric | New Castle | Milton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $2,100 | -21% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $3,050 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New Castle offers similar 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 $58,000 in Milton.
| Metric | New Castle | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,388 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $80,875 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, New Castle comes out ahead with 12 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Milton sees 7.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | New Castle | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.50°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | 82.60°F |
| Winter Low | 25.70°F | 27.70°F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | 53.90 in |
| Snowfall | 12.30 in | 19.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | 246 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
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 | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New Castle is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Milton.
From a growth perspective, Milton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | New Castle | Milton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,585 | 3,567 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 2.85% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 52.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| 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
Milton
Advantages
Median household income stands strong at approximately $80,875, reflecting solid local economic stability per US Census data.
Crime rates in Milton are significantly lower than state and national averages, ensuring a safe community environment.
Proximity to Delaware's prime coastal beaches like Lewes and Rehoboth provides exceptional recreational opportunities.
The historic downtown district features preserved Victorian architecture, local boutiques, and the renowned Dogfish Head Craft Brewery.
High homeownership rate of over 80% highlights a stable, invested community of residents per Census Bureau reports.
Drawbacks
Housing prices and rental rates have risen sharply due to high regional demand along the Delaware coast.
Public transportation options within the town are very limited, resulting in high car dependency.
The local median age is relatively high at 52.6 years, which may offer fewer dynamics for younger families or singles.
Limited large-scale industrial or corporate job diversification within town limits requires commuting for certain specialized careers.
Inflow of new housing developments places gradual pressure on local infrastructure and two-lane rural roads.
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
Milton
#82Delaware, USA
68.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
2.85%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
77
Business
70
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