City Comparison
Seaford vs Smyrna
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Seaford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seaford
Smyrna
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Seaford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Smyrna.
Housing costs are a major driver: Seaford's average rent is
23% lower than Smyrna's.
| Metric | Seaford | Smyrna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,750 | -23% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $165 | $190 | -13% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,225 | $2,630 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Smyrna offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Seaford delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Seaford is estimated at
$48,000 vs $57,912 in Smyrna.
| Metric | Seaford | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $52,722 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $57,912 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,319 idx | 53,255 idx |
| Household Income | $55,000 | $67,048 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Seaford runs warmer on average — a 57°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Seaford comes out ahead with 252 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Seaford sees 19.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seaford | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 28.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 49.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Seaford has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Smyrna.
Seaford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Seaford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Seaford | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 33 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Smyrna is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Seaford.
From a growth perspective, Smyrna is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Smyrna has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Seaford | Smyrna |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,450 | 13,936 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 2.90% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.60% |
| 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
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.
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
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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