Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Warwick?

Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of electricity costs.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Dover than in Warwick?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $43,000 in Warwick.

Which has lower taxes, Dover or Warwick?

Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Dover vs Warwick Cost of Living 2026

Dover

Delaware

$1,270/mo est.

Warwick

Rhode Island

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Warwick, RI. Overall, Dover, DE is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Warwick, RI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $58,336 in Dover, DE and $87,536 in Warwick, RI — about 33% higher in Warwick, RI. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Dover, DE

Warwick, RI

Rent

Studio

$993

$923

+7% in Dover, DE

1 Bedroom

$1,047

$1,085

+4% in Warwick, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,185

$1,629

+37% in Warwick, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,634

$1,569

+4% in Dover, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,500

$322,000

+30% in Warwick, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$58,336

$87,536

+50% in Warwick, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,690

$53,680

+15% in Warwick, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

44.6 yr

+9.5 yr in Warwick, RI

Homeownership

47.0%

73.4%

+26.4 pp in Warwick, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.1%

33.2%

+6.1 pp in Warwick, RI

Avg Commute

24.0 min

25.0 min

+1.0 min in Warwick, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,025.3

79.5

+92% in Dover, DE

Property Crime

6,159.1

1,149.5

+81% 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

51.6°F

+5.3°F in Dover, DE

Annual Precipitation

46.0 in

47.2 in

+1.1 in in Warwick, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.3

29.2

+52% in Warwick, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.73

$25.75

+13% in Dover, DE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Warwick, RI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Warwick, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Dover, DE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Warwick, RI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Warwick, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Warwick, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (DE / RI)

None

+7.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

6.60%

5.99%

+0.6 pp in DE

Dover vs Warwick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Warwick?: Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Dover than in Warwick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $43,000 in Warwick.
Which has lower taxes, Dover or Warwick?: Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).