Living Cost Compare

Cost of Living in Delaware

Based on 1 city we track in Delaware.

Cost of living in Delaware is shaped mostly by rent across the 1 city we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,024 a month — about the same as the $1,052 median across the 51 states we track.

Median household income across those cities is $55,269, 18% lower than the $67,043 median across the states we track. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

State Medians

Median 1BR Rent
$1,024
Median Home Value
$224,500
Median Income
$55,269
Avg Temperature
54.9°F

Medians across the Delaware cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.

State Taxes

State Sales Tax
None
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 6.60%

Cities in Delaware

Compare Delaware with

Delaware cost of living — FAQ

Is Delaware expensive to live in?
Delaware is around the middle of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,024 ranks #28 of 51 and is about the same as the $1,052 median.
What is the average rent in Delaware?
Across the 1 city we track in Delaware, average rent runs a studio around $1,103, a one-bedroom around $1,024, a two-bedroom around $1,213, a three-bedroom around $1,394 per month (US Census ACS).
What is the median home price in Delaware?
The median home value across the cities we track in Delaware is $224,500 — 22% lower than the $287,500 median across the states we track.
Does Delaware have a state income tax?
Yes — Delaware's top state income tax rate is 6.60% (most filers pay less than the top rate). It also has no state sales tax.
How much do you need to earn to live in Delaware?
To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,024 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Delaware is $55,269.

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).