City Comparison
Seaford vs Selbyville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Selbyville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seaford
Selbyville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Seaford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Selbyville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Seaford's average rent is
18% lower than Selbyville's.
| Metric | Seaford | Selbyville | 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
Selbyville offers 19% lower 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 Seaford is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Selbyville.
| Metric | Seaford | Selbyville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,319 idx | 65,306 idx |
| Household Income | $55,000 | $65,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Selbyville sees 0.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seaford | Selbyville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | 56.70°F |
| Summer High | 82.70°F | 82.10°F |
| Winter Low | 28.00°F | 27.60°F |
| Rainfall | 49.00 in | 52.70 in |
| Snowfall | 19.70 in | 20.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | 255 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Seaford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Seaford | Selbyville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Seaford is the larger city
— approximately 2.8x the population of Selbyville.
From a growth perspective, Selbyville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Selbyville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Seaford | Selbyville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,450 | 3,037 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 2.50% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 44.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.20% |
| 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
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
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
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
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