Delaware
DESouth · 2 cities tracked · Updated 2026
Delaware is close to the national average. Across the 2 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 98 (US = 100) and typical rent averages $1,839 a month, 5% below the national figure of $1,932.
State Averages
Avg Gas Price
$3.89
Regular unleaded
Avg Rent
$1,839
All units/mo
Avg COL Index
98
vs. 100 national avg
Delaware Cost of Living Analysis
Where the money goes
The biggest cost pressure in Delaware is car insurance, at 8% above the national average. The biggest break is rent, at 5% below it.
Rent trend
Rent rose an average of 3.9% over the past year across the 2 cities we track, faster than the 2.7% national change. Dover saw the biggest move (up 4.5%), while Wilmington was up just 3.3%.
City to city
Where you live inside Delaware matters. Typical rent runs from $1,775 in Dover to $1,903 in Wilmington, a gap of $128 a month or about $1,536 a year.
Affordability
Rent, gas, groceries, electricity and car insurance take about 42% of median household income in the counties we track, which ranks near the middle of 51 states. Median household income there averages $81,387 (Census ACS 2023). Groceries are counted at what the average household in the region spends on food at home (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey).
Energy and driving
Regular gas costs $3.89 a gallon, 2% below the $3.98 national average. A typical electric bill runs about $168 a month versus $166 nationally, and full coverage car insurance averages $2,320 a year versus $2,150.
Groceries
Grocery prices in the South rose 1.7% over the past year (BLS food at home), compared with 1.8% nationally. Item prices on our city pages are national BLS averages, so local stores may be higher or lower.
Built from the AAA, Zillow, EIA, Bankrate, BLS and Census data on this site. National comparisons use typical rent of $1,932 a month and gas of $3.98 a gallon. See the methodology.
Cities in Delaware
Median Household Income by County
Source: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · 3 counties
| County | Median Income |
|---|---|
| 1New Castle County | $89,901 |
| 2Sussex County | $78,162 |
| 3Kent County | $72,872 |
Delaware Cost of Living FAQ
Is Delaware expensive to live in?
Delaware is close to the national average. Across the 2 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 98, where 100 is the US average.
What is the average rent in Delaware?
Typical rent in Delaware averages $1,839 a month across the 2 cities we track as of September 2026, 5% below the national typical rent of $1,932. That ranks the 15th highest of 51 states. The figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index for all home types.
What is the cheapest city to live in Delaware?
Of the 2 cities we track in Delaware, Dover has the lowest cost of living index at 90. It also has the lowest typical rent we track there, at $1,775 a month.
What is the most expensive city in Delaware?
Wilmington has the highest cost of living index of the cities we track in Delaware, at 105. The highest typical rent is in Wilmington, at $1,903 a month.
How much is gas in Delaware?
Regular unleaded averages $3.89 a gallon in Delaware as of November 11, 2026 (AAA state average), 2% below the national average of $3.98. That is near the middle of 51 states.
Is rent going up in Delaware?
Rent in Delaware rose an average of 3.9% over the past year across the 2 cities we track, compared with a 2.7% change nationally.
How much is electricity in Delaware?
Residential electricity in Delaware averages 18.7 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill is about $168.
How much is car insurance in Delaware?
Full coverage car insurance in Delaware averages $2,320 a year, or about $193 a month (Bankrate and NAIC), compared with $2,150 a year nationally. That is the 15th highest of 51 states.