City Comparison
New Castle vs Smyrna
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
New Castle scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
New Castle
Smyrna
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 Smyrna.
| Metric | New Castle | Smyrna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,750 | -6% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $190 | -8% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $2,630 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New Castle offers 29% higher 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 New Castle is estimated at
$54,000 vs $57,912 in Smyrna.
| Metric | New Castle | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $52,722 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $57,912 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,388 idx | 53,255 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $67,048 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
New Castle runs warmer on average — a 55.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, New Castle comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — New Castle sees 12.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | New Castle | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
New Castle has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Smyrna.
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 | New Castle | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 33 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Smyrna is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of New Castle.
From a growth perspective, Smyrna is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, New Castle has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | New Castle | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,585 | 13,936 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 2.90% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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
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.
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
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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