Question 1

Is New Castle, DE or Selbyville, DE cheaper to buy in?

Accepted Answer

New Castle, DE is cheaper. The median home price in New Castle, DE is approximately $229,300 and in Selbyville, DE it is approximately $394,000 — a difference of $164,700.

Question 2

Is New Castle, DE or Selbyville, DE safer?

Accepted Answer

Selbyville, DE scores higher on safety. New Castle, DE has violent crime rated Moderate and property crime rated Moderate. Selbyville, DE has violent crime rated Low and property crime rated Low.

Question 3

Which has better schools, New Castle, DE or Selbyville, DE?

Accepted Answer

New Castle, DE has higher-rated schools. New Castle, DE has a school rating of 7.5/10 and Selbyville, DE has a rating of 7.3/10.

Question 4

Should I live in New Castle, DE or Selbyville, DE?

Accepted Answer

If you're a working professional, Selbyville might be a better bet due to its faster commute to Wilmington, despite the higher home prices. However, if you're on a tighter budget and value affordability above all, New Castle is likely a more suitable choice. For families, both neighborhoods are relatively similar, but New Castle's slightly better schools make it a slight edge.

Category	New Castle, DE	Selbyville, DE
Housing
Verdict	Good for now	Good for now
Median Price	$229K ✓ Lower price	$394K
Median Rent	$1K ✓ Lower rent	$1K
Median Income	$72K	$81K ✓ Higher income
Price Volatility	Moderate	Moderate
Getting Around
Walk Score	Car-dependent	Car-dependent
Transit Score	1/100	1/100
Bike Score	1/100	1/100
Commute	30 min	20 min ✓ Shorter commute
Safety & Environment
Safety Grade	D+	A ✓ Safer
Violent Crime	Moderate	Low ✓ Lower risk
Property Crime	Moderate	Low ✓ Lower risk
Flood Risk	Low	Low
Air Quality	Good	Good
Community
Schools	7.5/10 ✓ Better schools	7.3/10
Best for	Families looking for a quiet suburban feelCommuters to Wilmington or nearby citiesFirst‑time home buyers seeking affordability	RetirementFamilyQuiet suburban lifestyle

New Castle, DE vs Selbyville, DE

Bottom line