Cost of Living in Delaware (DE)
Compare costs across 2 Delaware cities. From home services to salaries, see how DE stacks up against the national average.
2
Cities
99
Avg Cost Index
$46K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
Delaware's average cost index is 99, which is near the national baseline of 100. Dover is the most affordable tracked city in DE at index 96, while Wilmington is the most expensive at index 102.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 6 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
Delaware Highlights: Most affordable city: Dover (index 96). Most expensive: Wilmington (index 102). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 6 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
99/100
Delaware is near the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Dover
Dover has a cost index of 96.
Most expensive
Wilmington
Wilmington has a cost index of 102.
Income average
$46K
Average median household income across 2 tracked DE cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Delaware
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | 71K | 102 | $44K | small |
| Dover | 39K | 96 | $48K | small |
Delaware State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Delaware.
State Income Tax
2.2-6.6%
progressive system
Combined Sales Tax
0%
0% state + 0% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
0.55%
~$1,650/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: Delaware uses a progressive income tax at 2.2-6.6%. No state estate tax. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Dover if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Delaware.
- Compare Wilmington against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.