City Comparison
Selbyville vs Newark
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Selbyville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Selbyville
Newark
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Selbyville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Newark.
| Metric | Selbyville | Newark | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,649 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $409 | +3% |
| Utilities | $175 | $371 | -53% |
| Transport | $130 | $351 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $139 | +73% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,919 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 106 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Selbyville offers 25% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Selbyville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Selbyville is estimated at
$52,000 vs $51,960 in Newark.
| Metric | Selbyville | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $51,024 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $51,960 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,306 idx | 48,136 idx |
| Household Income | $65,500 | $76,912 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Selbyville runs warmer on average — a 56.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Selbyville comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Selbyville sees 20 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Selbyville | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 52.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Newark has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Selbyville.
Newark scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Newark leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Selbyville | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newark is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Selbyville.
From a growth perspective, Selbyville 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 | Selbyville | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,037 | 30,311 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | — |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 22.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Selbyville
Advantages
Proximity to Delaware and Maryland Atlantic beaches without beachfront real estate prices
No state sales tax in Delaware, reducing the cost of retail shopping and dining
Property tax rates in Sussex County are among the lowest in the mid-Atlantic region
Violent and property crime rates remain significantly below the national average
Growing selection of master-planned communities and modern housing developments
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure
Seasonal traffic congestion on US Route 113 during summer tourism peaks
Rising housing and rental costs driven by high regional retirement demand
Limited local nightlife and entertainment options within town limits
Humid subtropical summer conditions with occasional high temperatures
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.
Selbyville
#102Delaware, USA
67.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
56.70°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
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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