City Comparison
New Castle vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
New Castle scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
New Castle
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in New Castle.
Housing costs are a major driver: New Castle's average rent is
17% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | New Castle | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,412 | +17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $281 | -38% |
| Transport | $115 | $126 | -9% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $135 | +78% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $2,404 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New Castle offers 12% 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 $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | New Castle | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,388 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
New Castle runs warmer on average — a 55.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, New Castle comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — New Castle sees 12.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | New Castle | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Dallas 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 | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, New Castle 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 | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,585 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 33.4 |
| 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
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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
Dallas
#525Texas, USA
50.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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