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Seaford, DE

Cost of living in Sussex County, DE

Estimated monthly cost
$3,111/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 247,799 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,066 34%
Federal tax $486 16%
Healthcare $480 15%
Groceries $352 11%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $200 6%
State tax $152 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Sussex County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,031
per month
1 bedroom
$1,066
per month
2 bedroom
$1,398
per month
3 bedroom
$1,763
per month
4 bedroom
$2,197
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Sussex County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$78,162
per year
Individual earnings
$39,766
per year
Per capita
$44,963
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Sussex County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$353,300
Annual property tax
$1,171

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Sussex 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 Sussex County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.9%

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 Sussex 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 Sussex County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
27.2 min
Drive alone
76.8%
Public transit
0.3%
Work from home
11.8%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Sussex County

What it costs to live in Sussex County each month.

Single person
$3,111
per month
  • Rent $1,066
  • Energy $200
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $352
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $486
  • State tax $152
Couple
$4,864
per month
  • Rent $1,398
  • Energy $240
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $583
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $949
  • State tax $345
Family
$7,387
per month
  • Rent $1,763
  • Energy $300
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $885
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $949
  • State tax $345

Frequently asked questions about Sussex County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Sussex County?

In Sussex County, DE, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,066 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,398 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,763 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Sussex County?

In Sussex County, DE, the average household income is $78,162 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $39,766 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Sussex County?

The estimated cost of living in Sussex County, DE is approximately $3,111 per month for a single person, $4,864 for a couple, $7,387 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Sussex County?

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

Is Sussex County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Sussex County, DE would need approximately $3,111 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $78,162 per year ($6,514 per month). Sussex County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Sussex County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Sussex County, DE is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Sussex County?

The average home value in Sussex County, DE is $353,300, with average annual property taxes of $1,171, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Sussex County compare to other areas?

You can compare Sussex County, DE with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Sussex County is in the Seaford, 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 Sussex 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