Cost of living in Delaware
Rent, taxes, earnings and more across all 3 Delaware counties.
Last updated May 21, 2026
Taxes in Delaware
State income, sales and local tax rates.
Delaware has a graduated state income tax ranging from 0% to 6.6%.
Use our salary calculator to see your take-home pay in Delaware
Tax information is for general reference. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation.
Rent in Delaware
The average one-bedroom rent across Delaware is $1,253/mo. Rent varies from $1,066/mo in Sussex County to $1,512/mo in New Castle County.
Most expensive rent
Cheapest places to live in Delaware
Top 10 counties by estimated single-person monthly cost.
- #1 Sussex County$3,111/moRent$1,066/mo Income$78,162/yr#1 Sussex County $3,111/mo $1,066/mo $78,162/yr
- #2 Kent County$3,246/moRent$1,181/mo Income$72,872/yr#2 Kent County $3,246/mo $1,181/mo $72,872/yr
- #3 New Castle County$3,752/moRent$1,512/mo Income$89,901/yr#3 New Castle County $3,752/mo $1,512/mo $89,901/yr
Rankings include rent, utilities, groceries, transport, healthcare and taxes. See our methodology.
Most expensive places to live in Delaware
Top 10 counties by estimated single-person monthly cost.
- #1 New Castle County$3,752/moRent$1,512/mo Income$89,901/yr#1 New Castle County $3,752/mo $1,512/mo $89,901/yr
- #2 Kent County$3,246/moRent$1,181/mo Income$72,872/yr#2 Kent County $3,246/mo $1,181/mo $72,872/yr
- #3 Sussex County$3,111/moRent$1,066/mo Income$78,162/yr#3 Sussex County $3,111/mo $1,066/mo $78,162/yr
Highest earning counties in Delaware
Top 10 by average household income.
- #1 New Castle County$89,901/yrCost$3,752/mo Rent$1,512/mo#1 New Castle County $89,901/yr $3,752/mo $1,512/mo
- #2 Sussex County$78,162/yrCost$3,111/mo Rent$1,066/mo#2 Sussex County $78,162/yr $3,111/mo $1,066/mo
- #3 Kent County$72,872/yrCost$3,246/mo Rent$1,181/mo#3 Kent County $72,872/yr $3,246/mo $1,181/mo
All 3 counties in Delaware
Sorted by population. Type to filter.
- New Castle County Pop573,030 Rent$1,512/mo Income$89,901/yr Cost$3,752/mo
- Sussex County Pop247,799 Rent$1,066/mo Income$78,162/yr Cost$3,111/mo
- Kent County Pop185,043 Rent$1,181/mo Income$72,872/yr Cost$3,246/mo
Compare any two areas in Delaware
Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.
Open comparison toolFrequently asked questions about Delaware
Common questions about cost of living, taxes and rent.
What is the cost of living in Delaware?
The average cost of living in Delaware is approximately $3,370 per month for a single person. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare and taxes. Costs range from $3,111/mo in Sussex County to $3,752/mo in New Castle County.
What is the average rent in Delaware?
The average one-bedroom rent in Delaware is $1,253 per month, based on HUD Fair Market Rent data across all 3 counties.
What is the average salary in Delaware?
The average household income in Delaware is $80,312 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
Does Delaware have state income tax?
Yes, Delaware has a graduated income tax ranging from 0% to 6.6%.
What is the sales tax in Delaware?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Delaware averages 0.00%. The state rate is 0.00% with an average local addition of 0.00%.
What are the cheapest places to live in Delaware?
The cheapest counties to live in Delaware based on overall monthly costs are: 1. Sussex County ($3,111/mo), 2. Kent County ($3,246/mo), 3. New Castle County ($3,752/mo).
What are the most expensive places to live in Delaware?
The most expensive counties to live in Delaware based on overall monthly costs are: 1. New Castle County ($3,752/mo), 2. Kent County ($3,246/mo), 3. Sussex County ($3,111/mo).
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About this data
All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources.
- U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year Estimates)
- HUD Fair Market Rents FY2025
- Energy Information Administration (EIA)
- Tax Foundation state and local rates