City Comparison
New Castle vs Newark
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Newark scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
New Castle
Newark
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
New Castle is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Newark.
| Metric | New Castle | Newark | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,649 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $409 | +3% |
| Utilities | $175 | $371 | -53% |
| Transport | $115 | $351 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $139 | +73% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $2,919 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 106 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New Castle offers 33% 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 $51,960 in Newark.
| Metric | New Castle | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $51,024 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $51,960 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,388 idx | 48,136 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $76,912 |
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 | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Newark has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to New Castle.
Newark 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 | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newark is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of New Castle.
From a growth perspective, New Castle is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Newark has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | New Castle | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,585 | 30,311 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 22.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.60% |
| 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
Newark
Advantages
Home to Christiana Hospital, Delaware's only Level I trauma center, ensuring high-quality healthcare access.
The University of Delaware provides extensive educational opportunities and a vibrant cultural scene.
Median household income of $76,912 in 2024 is competitive.
Relatively affordable compared to nearby major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and New York.
Average commute time is relatively short at 19 minutes.
Drawbacks
The city's population is projected to be declining at an annual rate of -0.16% in 2026.
Newark has a high poverty rate of 27.73%.
Housing costs are 10.5% higher than the national average.
The median age of 22.1 years suggests a transient student population, potentially impacting long-term community stability.
Utilities and groceries are slightly more expensive than the national average.
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
Newark
#162Delaware, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,649
Avg Salary
$51,024
Cost Index
106
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
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