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Cost of living in Delaware

Everyday prices in Delaware run about the US average, the 32nd lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

Delaware next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
DelawareUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is Delaware?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$85,860
Typical household incomeA year · 28th highest of 51
23%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,632/mo) against median income ($85,860). 45th lowest of 51.
5.6
Years of income to buy a home$484,998 median listing against $85,860 income. 38th lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Delaware?

6,855 more people moved to Delaware from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Delaware next to its neighbors

The states that border Delaware, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 28Pennsylvania2% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,353
    Typical home
    $309,000
    Net moves
    -2,936
  2. 32DelawareThis stateAbout the US average
    2-bed rent
    $1,632
    Typical home
    $484,998
    Net moves
    +6,855
  3. 44Maryland5% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,834
    Typical home
    $425,000
    Net moves
    -12,127
  4. 48New Jersey9% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,990
    Typical home
    $559,500
    Net moves
    -37,428

Delaware by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Delaware next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
Delaware99.8102.0$484,998$2,665$1,632
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

Delaware next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
Delaware99.8$1,632$484,998+6,855
Maryland105.0$1,834$425,000-12,127
New Jersey108.8$1,990$559,500-37,428
Pennsylvania97.6$1,353$309,000-2,936

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20+8,772
2020-21+13,680
2021-22+12,530
2022-23+9,872
2023-24+8,040
2024-25+6,855

States with a similar cost of living to Delaware

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Delaware cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Delaware?

Everyday prices in Delaware run about the US average, the 32nd lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 102.0 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $484,998 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $2,665 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,632 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $133,003 in Delaware.

Is Delaware cheap or expensive to live in?

Cheaper than average. Delaware's regional price parity is 99.8, so the same basket of goods, services and rent costs 0.2% less than the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Delaware?

The median listed home in Delaware is $484,998 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 34th lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $2,665 a month.

How much is rent in Delaware?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Delaware is $1,632 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Delaware equals $150,000 in New York?

About $133,003, using BEA regional price parities for Delaware (99.8) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Delaware?

6,855 more people moved to Delaware from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2024) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
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