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Dover, DE

Cost of living in Kent County, DE

Part of the Dover Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,246/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 185,043 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,181 36%
Federal tax $502 15%
Healthcare $480 15%
Groceries $352 11%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $200 6%
State tax $156 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Kent County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,173
per month
1 bedroom
$1,181
per month
2 bedroom
$1,492
per month
3 bedroom
$2,080
per month
4 bedroom
$2,278
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Kent County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$72,872
per year
Individual earnings
$40,736
per year
Per capita
$34,640
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Kent County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$290,600
Annual property tax
$1,331

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Kent County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$148
per month · 16.5¢/kWh
Natural gas
$52
per month
Annual total
$2,400
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Kent County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
7.0%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Kent County

State and local tax rates for Delaware.

State income tax
6.6%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
0.0%
Combined sales tax
0.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Kent County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
27.0 min
Drive alone
78.5%
Public transit
1.1%
Work from home
7.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Kent County

What it costs to live in Kent County each month.

Single person
$3,246
per month
  • Rent $1,181
  • Energy $200
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $352
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $502
  • State tax $156
Couple
$4,843
per month
  • Rent $1,492
  • Energy $240
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $583
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $863
  • State tax $316
Family
$7,589
per month
  • Rent $2,080
  • Energy $300
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $885
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $863
  • State tax $316

Frequently asked questions about Kent County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Kent County?

In Kent County, DE, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,181 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,492 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,080 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Kent County?

In Kent County, DE, the average household income is $72,872 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $40,736 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Kent County?

The estimated cost of living in Kent County, DE is approximately $3,246 per month for a single person, $4,843 for a couple, $7,589 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Kent County?

The combined sales tax rate in Kent County, DE is 0.00%, which includes the Delaware state rate of 0.00% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.

Is Kent County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Kent County, DE would need approximately $3,246 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $72,872 per year ($6,073 per month). Kent County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Kent County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Kent County, DE is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 7.0% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Kent County?

The average home value in Kent County, DE is $290,600, with average annual property taxes of $1,331, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Kent County compare to other areas?

You can compare Kent County, DE with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Kent County is in the Dover, DE metro area.

Other counties in Delaware

Browse the full list of counties in Delaware, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Delaware

Compare Kent County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources