City Comparison
Selbyville vs New Castle
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Selbyville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Selbyville
New Castle
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
New Castle is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Selbyville.
| Metric | Selbyville | New Castle | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,650 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $115 | +13% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,600 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New Castle offers 6% lower 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 Selbyville is estimated at
$52,000 vs $54,000 in New Castle.
| Metric | Selbyville | New Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $54,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,306 idx | 69,388 idx |
| Household Income | $65,500 | $65,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Selbyville sees 7.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Selbyville | New Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.70°F | 55.50°F |
| Summer High | 82.10°F | 82.50°F |
| Winter Low | 27.60°F | 25.70°F |
| Rainfall | 52.70 in | 42.30 in |
| Snowfall | 20.00 in | 12.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 258 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
New Castle 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 | Selbyville | New Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 65.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New Castle is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Selbyville.
From a growth perspective, Selbyville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Selbyville | New Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,037 | 5,585 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| 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
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
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
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
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