Lewes, DE vs New Castle, DE

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. New Castle is 28.2% cheaper than Lewes. With a cost index of 108 vs 139, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from New Castle to Lewes should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lewes is $1,271/month compared to $1,675/month in New Castle — a 24% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lewes has cheaper rent, New Castle actually has lower median home values ($262,100 vs $806,700).

Median household income in Lewes is $92,375 compared to $92,565 in New Castle (-0.2%). New Castle offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lewes spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, less than the 21.7% in New Castle.