Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,024 in Delaware versus $782 in Indiana. Overall, Indiana runs roughly 24% cheaper on rent than Delaware, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $55,269 in Delaware and $60,293 in Indiana — about 8% higher in Indiana. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
7%
+7.0 pp in Indiana
Income Tax (top rate)
6.60%
2.95%
+3.6 pp in Delaware
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,024
$782
+24% in Delaware
Median Home Value
$224,500
$169,700
+24% in Delaware
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$55,269
$60,293
+9% in Indiana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
54.9°F
53.2°F
+1.7°F in Delaware
Delaware vs Indiana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Delaware or Indiana?
- Indiana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $782 runs about 24% below Delaware's $1,024, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Delaware than in Indiana?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Delaware versus $31,000 in Indiana.
- Which has lower taxes, Delaware or Indiana?
- Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Delaware/Indiana — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.