City Comparison
Wilmington vs New Castle
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
New Castle scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wilmington
New Castle
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wilmington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in New Castle.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wilmington's average rent is
15% lower than New Castle's.
| Metric | Wilmington | New Castle | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,410 | $1,650 | -15% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $90 | $115 | -22% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,300 | $2,600 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wilmington offers 13% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wilmington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wilmington is estimated at
$55,000 vs $54,000 in New Castle.
| Metric | Wilmington | New Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,681 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $54,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,717 idx | 69,388 idx |
| Household Income | $58,671 | $65,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Wilmington sees 0.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wilmington | New Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.40°F | 55.50°F |
| Summer High | 83.50°F | 82.50°F |
| Winter Low | 25.70°F | 25.70°F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | 42.30 in |
| Snowfall | 13.20 in | 12.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 258 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Wilmington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to New Castle.
Wilmington 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 | Wilmington | New Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 65.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wilmington is the larger city
— approximately 13.1x the population of New Castle.
From a growth perspective, New Castle 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 | Wilmington | New Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,179 | 5,585 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.78% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wilmington
Advantages
Strategic East Coast location with direct Amtrak and I-95 access to Philadelphia, NYC, and D.C.
Zero state retail sales tax, lowering everyday purchase costs for consumers
Thriving hub for legal, financial services, and corporate headquarters
Vibrant Riverfront district offering dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions
Average rent and overall cost of living sit below the national average
Drawbacks
Property and violent crime rates in certain urban pockets exceed the national average
Poverty rate in the city limits remains notably higher than the broader suburban county
State and local income tax structures can feel heavy for middle-income earners
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along I-95 can be frustrating
Historic housing stock often requires significant maintenance and modernization costs
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.
Wilmington
#506Delaware, USA
52.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$76,681
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.78%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
72
Business
75
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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