Is Dover expensive to live in?

Dover is on the pricier side of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,047 per month ranks #78 of 158 and is about the same as the $1,043 median.

What is the average rent in Dover?

Average rent in Dover, DE runs a studio around $993, a one-bedroom around $1,047, a two-bedroom around $1,185, a three-bedroom around $1,634 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Dover?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,047 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year. The median household income here is $58,336.

How much does it cost to live in Dover per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Dover is about $1,270 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Dover, DE

Population 39,491 · Delaware

~$1,270/mo est.1BR $1,047Home $248,500

Compare with:

The cost of living in Dover, DE is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,047 a month — about the same as the $1,043 median across the 158 large US cities we track. Studios average $993 and two-bedrooms $1,185.

Median household income here is $58,336, 14% lower than the $67,696 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,270 before food and transport. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,047

Studio

$993

1 Bedroom

$1,047

2 Bedroom

$1,185

3 Bedroom

$1,634

Buying a Home$248,500

Median Home Value

$248,500

Income$58,336

Median Household Income

$58,336

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,690

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesSouth

Milk (gal)

$4.00

Bread (lb)

$1.75

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, South (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities19.3¢/kWh

Electricity

19.3¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$29.73/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-06-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.94/gal

Regular Gasoline (East Coast (PADD 1))

$3.94/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-31.

State Taxes (DE)No sales tax

State Sales Tax

None

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 6.60%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime1,025.3 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

1,025.3

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

6,159.1

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Dover Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 35.1 yrs

Median Age

35.1 yrs

Homeownership

47.0%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.1%

Avg Commute

24.0 min

Climate56.9°F

Avg Annual Temperature

56.9°F

Annual Precipitation

46.0 in

Dover cost of living — FAQ

Is Dover expensive to live in?: Dover is on the pricier side of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,047 per month ranks #78 of 158 and is about the same as the $1,043 median.
What is the average rent in Dover?: Average rent in Dover, DE runs a studio around $993, a one-bedroom around $1,047, a two-bedroom around $1,185, a three-bedroom around $1,634 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Dover?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,047 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year. The median household income here is $58,336.
How much does it cost to live in Dover per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Dover is about $1,270 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Dover with nearby cities

Dover vs Newark Dover vs Wilmington Dover vs Annapolis Dover vs Philadelphia Dover vs Baltimore Dover vs Washington

Nearby cities

Newark, DE 38 mi Wilmington, DE 41 mi Annapolis, MD 53 mi Philadelphia, PA 58 mi Baltimore, MD 59 mi Washington, DC 83 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.