City Comparison
Seaford vs Wilmington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Seaford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seaford
Wilmington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Seaford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Wilmington.
| Metric | Seaford | Wilmington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,410 | -4% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $165 | $180 | -8% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,225 | $2,300 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wilmington offers 32% lower 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 Seaford is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Wilmington.
| Metric | Seaford | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $76,681 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,319 idx | 80,717 idx |
| Household Income | $55,000 | $58,671 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Seaford sees 6.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seaford | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | 55.40°F |
| Summer High | 82.70°F | 83.50°F |
| Winter Low | 28.00°F | 25.70°F |
| Rainfall | 49.00 in | 40.80 in |
| Snowfall | 19.70 in | 13.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | 255 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Wilmington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wilmington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Seaford | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wilmington is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Seaford.
From a growth perspective, Seaford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Seaford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Seaford | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,450 | 73,179 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.78% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 37.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.90% |
| 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
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
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
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
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