City Comparison
Selbyville vs Smyrna
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Selbyville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Selbyville
Smyrna
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Selbyville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Smyrna.
| Metric | Selbyville | Smyrna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,750 | -6% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $190 | -8% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,630 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Selbyville offers 21% 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 $57,912 in Smyrna.
| Metric | Selbyville | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $52,722 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $57,912 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,306 idx | 53,255 idx |
| Household Income | $65,500 | $67,048 |
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 | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Selbyville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Smyrna.
Selbyville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Selbyville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Selbyville | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 33 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Smyrna is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Selbyville.
From a growth perspective, Smyrna 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 | Selbyville | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,037 | 13,936 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 2.90% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.60% |
| 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
Smyrna
Advantages
Smyrna is one of the fastest-growing communities in Delaware, indicating strong development and opportunity.
The cost of living in Smyrna is generally lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
The town boasts a quality school district, making it attractive for families.
Smyrna's strategic location provides convenient access to larger job markets in Dover and Wilmington.
The town offers a strong community-focused lifestyle with a walkable downtown and local events.
Drawbacks
Smyrna has a higher crime rate compared to both national and statewide averages, with a worsening crime trajectory.
The town exhibits high car dependency due to a Walk Score of 0.
The average commute time of 33.4 minutes is higher than the national average.
Public transportation options, while available, may have limited frequency and coverage.
Despite growth, the town itself has limited economic opportunities, requiring commutes for many jobs.
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
Smyrna
#533Delaware, USA
49.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$52,722
Cost Index
99
Commute
33 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.90%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
68
Business
72
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