City Comparison
Seaford vs Millsboro
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Millsboro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seaford
Millsboro
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Seaford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Millsboro.
Housing costs are a major driver: Seaford's average rent is
18% lower than Millsboro's.
| Metric | Seaford | Millsboro | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,650 | -18% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $165 | $175 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,225 | $2,615 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Millsboro offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Millsboro delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Seaford is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Millsboro.
| Metric | Seaford | Millsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,319 idx | 59,184 idx |
| Household Income | $55,000 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Millsboro sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seaford | Millsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | 56.70°F |
| Summer High | 82.70°F | 82.20°F |
| Winter Low | 28.00°F | 27.70°F |
| Rainfall | 49.00 in | 54.50 in |
| Snowfall | 19.70 in | 20.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | 251 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Seaford has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Millsboro.
For walkability, Seaford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Seaford | Millsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Seaford is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x 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 | Seaford | Millsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,450 | 5,262 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 4.50% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 42.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Seaford
Advantages
Median home prices and rent are significantly more affordable than Delaware's coastal beach communities
Home to TidalHealth Nanticoke, providing robust local healthcare access and employment
Scenic location along the Nanticoke River with excellent opportunities for boating and fishing
Low Delaware property taxes help reduce the ongoing cost of homeownership
Strategic central location along U.S. Route 13 with easy access to regional hubs
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation infrastructure outside the downtown core
Property crime rates in certain areas are higher than the national average for small towns
Average local salaries lag behind the national GDP per capita benchmarks
Limited high-end dining and nightlife options within city limits
Summer humidity can be intense during peak months
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Seaford
#415Delaware, USA
57.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
57.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
70
Business
64
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
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