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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Delaware: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

0.2% below

Cost of living in Delaware is 0.2% below the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for Delaware (index 99.8; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Delaware is $1,530 a month.

Cost of living in Delaware by category

Overall prices

99.8U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

−0.2% vs. U.S.

Goods
96.2 −3.8%
Housing (rents)
102.0 +2.0%
Utilities
103.8 +3.8%
Other services
101.2 +1.2%

BEA 2024 · Delaware Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,530/mo

Median gross rent

About the same as U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,153 −11% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,564 +5% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$1,742 +4% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$371,600 +3% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$1,821 −11% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$165/mo

Average electric bill

+5% vs. U.S.

Electricity price
18.5¢/kWh About the same as U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$23.56/Mcf +21% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
103.8

EIA July 2026 · Delaware Details: Utilities

Transportation

26.8min

Mean travel time to work

About the same as U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
72.2%
Work from home
12.9%
Gasoline (PADD 1B avg.)
$4.37/gal About the same as U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$182/wk

Center care, infant

+5% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$139/wk −9% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$145/wk About the same as U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$156/wk +9% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Delaware county median (3 counties) Details: Child care

Income

$87,534/yr

Median household income

+7% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
21%
Home value to income
4.2×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Delaware

Median gross rent in Delaware is $1,530 a month, about the same as the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $1,500–$1,999 range, which holds 32.8% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 19.2% pay $2,000 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $371,600, and 3.1% of homes are valued at $1,000,000 or more.

Housing costs: Delaware vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Delaware: $1,530; U.S.: $1,487 Delaware $1,530 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Delaware: $1,821; U.S.: $2,035 Delaware $1,821 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Delaware: $371,600; U.S.: $360,600 Delaware $371,600 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureDelawareU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,530$1,487
Monthly owner costs$1,821$2,035
Median home value$371,600$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Delaware

What renters pay in Delaware Share of renter households paying cash rent in Delaware by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 7.1%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 0.7%. Median $1,530. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% Less than $500: 7.1% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 4.1% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 8.8% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 12.4% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 15.7% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 32.8% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 13.3% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 4.4% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 0.8% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 0.7% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $1,530 (Delaware) 32.8%
Show the data table
RangeDelawareU.S.
Less than $5007.1%6.1%
$500–$7494.1%6.8%
$750–$9998.8%11.5%
$1,000–$1,24912.4%13.5%
$1,250–$1,49915.7%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99932.8%22.2%
$2,000–$2,49913.3%13.2%
$2,500–$2,9994.4%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4990.8%3.2%
$3,500 or more0.7%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Home values in Delaware

Home values in Delaware Share of owner-occupied homes in Delaware by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $100,000, holds 7%; the top range, $1,500,000 or more, holds 1.4%. Median $371,600. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $100,000: 7% (U.S.: 10.2%) $100,000–$149,999: 2.3% (U.S.: 5.7%) $150,000–$199,999: 4.6% (U.S.: 7.5%) $200,000–$249,999: 9% (U.S.: 8.4%) $250,000–$299,999: 9.9% (U.S.: 8.5%) $300,000–$399,999: 24% (U.S.: 15.9%) $400,000–$499,999: 15.9% (U.S.: 12%) $500,000–$749,999: 19.4% (U.S.: 16.3%) $750,000–$999,999: 4.8% (U.S.: 7.5%) $1,000,000–$1,499,999: 1.7% (U.S.: 4.3%) $1,500,000 or more: 1.4% (U.S.: 3.7%) <$100K $100–150K $150–200K $250–300K $400–500K $500–750K $750K–1M $1.5M+ Median $371,600 (Delaware) 24%
Show the data table
RangeDelawareU.S.
Less than $100,0007%10.2%
$100,000–$149,9992.3%5.7%
$150,000–$199,9994.6%7.5%
$200,000–$249,9999%8.4%
$250,000–$299,9999.9%8.5%
$300,000–$399,99924%15.9%
$400,000–$499,99915.9%12%
$500,000–$749,99919.4%16.3%
$750,000–$999,9994.8%7.5%
$1,000,000–$1,499,9991.7%4.3%
$1,500,000 or more1.4%3.7%

Share of owner-occupied homes. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25075. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Delaware

Measure Delaware U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,530$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,153$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,564$1,490
3-bedroom rent $1,742$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $1,821$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Delaware?

At the median, rent takes about 21% of household income in Delaware. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $61,200 a year.

The median home is worth $371,600, or 4.2 times the median household income.

Household income in Delaware

The median household in Delaware earns $87,534 a year, 7% above the U.S. median of $81,604. About 12.9% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 11.8% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Delaware vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Delaware: $87,534; U.S.: $81,604 Delaware $87,534 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureDelawareU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$87,534$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Delaware

Household income distribution in Delaware Share of households in Delaware by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 4.9%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 12.9%. Median $87,534. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% Less than $10,000: 4.9% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 2.3% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 2.2% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 2.4% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 2.3% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 2.7% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 2.8% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 3.5% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 3.8% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 6.4% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 9.2% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 14.4% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 11.4% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 8% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 10.8% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 12.9% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $87,534 (Delaware) 14.4%
Show the data table
RangeDelawareU.S.
Less than $10,0004.9%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9992.3%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9992.2%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9992.4%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9992.3%3%
$30,000–$34,9992.7%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9992.8%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9993.5%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9993.8%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9996.4%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9999.2%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99914.4%12.6%
$100,000–$124,99911.4%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9998%7.4%
$150,000–$199,99910.8%9.7%
$200,000 or more12.9%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Delaware U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $87,534$81,604
Median home value $371,600$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, Delaware scored 99.8 for all items. The highest category is utilities at 103.8; the lowest is goods at 96.2.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Delaware: 99.8; U.S.: 100.0 Delaware 99.8 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Delaware: 96.2; U.S.: 99.6 Delaware 96.2 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Delaware: 102.0; U.S.: 100.6 Delaware 102.0 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Delaware: 103.8; U.S.: 98.4 Delaware 103.8 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Delaware: 101.2; U.S.: 100.1 Delaware 101.2 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureDelawareU.S.
All items99.8100.0
Goods96.299.6
Housing (rents)102.0100.6
Utilities103.898.4
Other services101.2100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in Delaware paid an average of 18.5¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $165 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $23.56 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices: Delaware vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) Delaware: 18.5¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ Delaware 18.5¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) Delaware: $165; U.S.: $157 Delaware $165 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) Delaware: $23.56; U.S.: $19.40 Delaware $23.56 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureDelawareU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)18.5¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$165$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$23.56$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Delaware who commute spend an average of 26.8 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (72.2% of workers); 12.9% work from home. Gasoline in the Central Atlantic region (PADD 1B), which includes Delaware, averaged $4.37 a gallon for regular in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally. EIA publishes no separate Delaware price.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Delaware: Drove alone 72.2%, Carpooled 8.4%, Public transit 2.3%, Walked 2.3%, Bicycle 0.4%, Worked from home 12.9%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.5%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Delaware: Drove alone. Delaware Delaware · Drove alone: 72.2% 72.2% Delaware · Carpooled: 8.4% Delaware · Public transit: 2.3% Delaware · Walked: 2.3% Delaware · Bicycle: 0.4% Delaware · Worked from home: 12.9% 12.9% Delaware · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.5% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationDelawareU.S.
Drove alone72.2%69.2%
Carpooled8.4%9.2%
Public transit2.3%3.7%
Walked2.3%2.4%
Bicycle0.4%0.5%
Worked from home12.9%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)1.5%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Delaware

Travel time to work in Delaware Share of workers who do not work from home in Delaware by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 1.8%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 2.7%. Mean 26.8 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than 5 min: 1.8% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 9.3% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 13% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 16.8% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 15.4% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 7.7% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 12.4% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 3.3% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 3.5% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 8% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 6.1% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 2.7% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 26.8 min (Delaware) 16.8%
Show the data table
RangeDelawareU.S.
Less than 5 min1.8%2.8%
5–9 min9.3%9.4%
10–14 min13%13.1%
15–19 min16.8%15%
20–24 min15.4%14.1%
25–29 min7.7%7%
30–34 min12.4%13.7%
35–39 min3.3%3.4%
40–44 min3.5%4.1%
45–59 min8%8.3%
60–89 min6.1%6.3%
90 min or more2.7%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Delaware

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $182 a week in the median Delaware county (3 counties), or $9,471 over 52 weeks. That is 5% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Delaware (median of 3 counties) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $182$174
Center-based care, toddler $139$153
Center-based care, preschool $145$144
Center-based care, school-age $111$120
Home-based family care, infant $156$143
Home-based family care, toddler $131$132
Home-based family care, preschool $131$131
Home-based family care, school-age $66$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Delaware prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Delaware?

Median rent is $1,153 for a one-bedroom and $1,564 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Delaware?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 20% pay less than $1,000 a month, 60.9% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 19.2% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

How much do you need to make to live in Delaware?

To keep the median rent of $1,530 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $61,200 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Delaware more expensive than the U.S. average?

No. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in Delaware at 99.8 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 0.2% below average. Housing rents score 102.0.

How long is the average commute in Delaware?

26.8 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Delaware?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $182 a week in the median Delaware county (3 counties) in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.