City Comparison
Selbyville vs Wilmington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Selbyville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Selbyville
Wilmington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wilmington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Selbyville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Selbyville's average rent is
17% higher than Wilmington's.
| Metric | Selbyville | Wilmington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,410 | +17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $90 | +44% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,300 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wilmington offers 17% 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 Selbyville is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Wilmington.
| Metric | Selbyville | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $76,681 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,306 idx | 80,717 idx |
| Household Income | $65,500 | $58,671 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Selbyville sees 6.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Selbyville | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.70°F | 55.40°F |
| Summer High | 82.10°F | 83.50°F |
| Winter Low | 27.60°F | 25.70°F |
| Rainfall | 52.70 in | 40.80 in |
| Snowfall | 20.00 in | 13.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 255 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Wilmington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Selbyville.
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 | Selbyville | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wilmington is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Selbyville 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 | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,037 | 73,179 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 0.78% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 37.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.90% |
| 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
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.
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
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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