Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,024 in Delaware versus $978 in New Jersey. Overall, New Jersey runs roughly 4% cheaper on rent than Delaware, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $55,269 in Delaware and $48,416 in New Jersey — about 12% higher in Delaware. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
6.625%
+6.6 pp in New Jersey
Income Tax (top rate)
6.60%
10.75%
+4.2 pp in New Jersey
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,024
$978
+4% in Delaware
Median Home Value
$224,500
$337,800
+50% in New Jersey
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$55,269
$48,416
+12% in Delaware
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
54.9°F
54.9°F
about equal
Delaware vs New Jersey — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Delaware or New Jersey?
- New Jersey is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $978 runs about 4% 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 New Jersey?
- 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 $39,000 in New Jersey.
- Which has lower taxes, Delaware or New Jersey?
- Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Delaware/New Jersey — 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.