Lewes, DE vs Skaneateles, NY: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Skaneateles, NY has a modeled overall cost index 10.3% lower than Lewes, DE.

Lewes, DE · modeled 2BR rent
$1,850 / month
Skaneateles, NY · modeled 2BR rent
$1,740 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Lewes, DE and Skaneateles, NY using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
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Estimated savings: $641/month in Skaneateles, NY

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $142,313 in Skaneateles, NY

Regional cost estimates: Lewes, DE uses Philadelphia, PA. Skaneateles, NY uses Newark, NJ. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↓ 10.3%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$641
Savings
Annual Impact
$7.7K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Lewes, DE

Population:4K
Cost Index:
83.1
100 = national average
Typical Home:$579K

Skaneateles, NY

Population:3K
Cost Index:
74.6
100 = national average
Typical Home:$627K

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Lewes, DE

The First State

4K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Delaware, this city has a population of 4K residents.

Skaneateles, NY

The Empire State

3K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in New York, this city has a population of 3K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Lewes, DE vs Skaneateles, NY

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↓ 17.9%
Lewes, DE
$1,993
Skaneateles, NY
$1,637
Difference
$356
less
Groceries
↓ 8.7%
Lewes, DE
$1,166
Skaneateles, NY
$1,064
Difference
$102
less
Transportation
↓ 5.5%
Lewes, DE
$1,360
Skaneateles, NY
$1,286
Difference
$74.26
less
Other
↓ 4.1%
Lewes, DE
$1,699
Skaneateles, NY
$1,630
Difference
$69.18
less
All Utilities
↓ 10.0%
Lewes, DE
$641
Skaneateles, NY
$577
Difference
$63.94
less
Healthcare
↑ 3.8%
Lewes, DE
$641
Skaneateles, NY
$666
Difference
$24.57
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,400
To$1,250
↓ $150
1 Bed
From$1,410
To$1,410
→ $0
2 Bed
From$1,850
To$1,740
↓ $110
3 Bed
From$2,320
To$2,120
↓ $200
Lewes, DEZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,410–$1,410/mo

Skaneateles, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,410–$1,410/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Lewes, DE
$6,859
Monthly in Skaneateles, NY
$641
Difference

Home Values

Lewes
Skaneateles
$579K
Median Value
$627K
↓ -0.9%
YoY Change
↑ +9.7%
↑ +27.3%
5-Year Change
↑ +79.5%

Homes in Skaneateles are 8% more expensive than Lewes

Calculate payment - LewesCalculate payment - Skaneateles

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↓ $660
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$54.96
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.4%
Rate difference

Lewes, DE

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Delaware State Tax
Effective: 5.9%
$8.9K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.6%
$45.9K
Take-Home Pay
$8,675/month
$104.1K

Skaneateles, NY

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
New York State Tax
Effective: 6.4%
$9.5K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.0%
$46.6K
Take-Home Pay
$8,620/month
$103.4K

Additional Tax Information

Lewes, DE Tax Rates

Sales Tax:0.0%
Property Tax:0.6%

Skaneateles, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%
Property Tax:1.2%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Lewes
Skaneateles
52 Moderate
Air Quality
N/A
47.3%
Good Air Days
-
100 Very High
Climate Risk
98 High
🌊🌅🌀
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🌪
▲+2.9°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.9°F
22 days
Heat Days >95°F
15 days
▲+2.9°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.9°F
22 days
Heat Days >95°F
15 days

Before moving from Lewes, DE to Skaneateles, NY

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Skaneateles, NY for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Lewes, DE. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Lewes to Skaneateles moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Skaneateles, NY by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Lewes, DE vs Skaneateles, NY

How do the cost estimates for Lewes, DE and Skaneateles, NY compare?

Skaneateles, NY has a modeled overall cost index 10.3% lower than Lewes, DE. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Lewes, DE, the model estimates $142,313 in Skaneateles, NY. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Lewes, DE and Skaneateles, NY?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,850/month in Lewes, DE and $1,740/month in Skaneateles, NY. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Delaware and New York on TaxTakeHome.com

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