Living Cost Compare
Dover

Delaware

$1,270/mo est.

vs
New York City

New York

$2,010/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,270 in Dover, DE versus $2,010 in New York City, NY. Overall, Dover, DE is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New York City, NY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $58,336 in Dover, DE and $79,713 in New York City, NY — about 27% higher in New York City, NY. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Dover, DE
New York City, NY

Rent

Studio
$993
$1,633
+64% in New York City, NY
1 Bedroom
$1,047
$1,705
+63% in New York City, NY
2 Bedroom
$1,185
$1,781
+50% in New York City, NY
3 Bedroom
$1,634
$2,065
+26% in New York City, NY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$248,500
$751,700
+202% in New York City, NY

Income

Median Household Income
$58,336
$79,713
+37% in New York City, NY
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$46,690
$61,430
+32% in New York City, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.1 yr
38.0 yr
+2.9 yr in New York City, NY
Homeownership
47.0%
32.8%
+14.2 pp in Dover, DE
Bachelor's+ (25+)
27.1%
41.0%
+13.9 pp in New York City, NY
Avg Commute
24.0 min
40.6 min
+16.6 min in New York City, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,025.3
694
+32% in Dover, DE
Property Crime
6,159.1
2,415.4
+61% in Dover, DE

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
56.9°F
55.0°F
+1.9°F in Dover, DE
Annual Precipitation
46.0 in
49.9 in
+3.9 in in New York City, NY

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$4.08/gal
+4% in New York City, NY

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs New York City.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$3.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs MTA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
19.3
29.5
+53% in New York City, NY
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$29.73
$27.01
+9% in Dover, DE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in New York City, NY
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.92
+10% in New York City, NY
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Dover, DE
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.90
+7% in New York City, NY
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.19
+15% in New York City, NY
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in New York City, NY

Average prices — South vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (DE / NY)
None
4%
+4.0 pp in NY
Income Tax (top rate)
6.60%
10.90%
+4.3 pp in NY

Dover vs New York City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Dover or New York City?
Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below New York City, NY's $2,010, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Dover than in New York City?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $68,000 in New York City.
Which has lower taxes, Dover or New York City?
Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax); New York City under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).