Cost of Living in Delaware

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to easily compare the cost of living in your current location to the cost of living in a new location. We use the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and salary differentials of over 300+ US cities to give you a comparison of costs and salary. Let us help you make an informed decision about what it will cost to live and work in the city of your dreams!
About Delaware    Delaware is 96 miles (154 km) long and ranges from 9 miles (14 km) to 35 miles (56 km) across, totaling 1,954 square miles (5,060 km2), making it the ....More
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while Delaware's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $11.75 per hour in 2023. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting Minimum Wage Values in Delaware


Cost of Living Index in Major Cities of Delaware

A comparison of the Cost of Living indexes across major Delaware Cities compared to the national average. The calculations are based on the total cost of energy, food, healthcare, housing and transportation, among other factors.


City, State Compared to national average
City, State Wilmington, Delaware Compared to national average
+ 12.4%
City, State Dover, Delaware Compared to national average
+ 11.1%
City, State Newark, Delaware Compared to national average
+ 12.3%
City, State Middletown, Delaware Compared to national average
+ 11.7%
City, State Smyrna, Delaware Compared to national average
+ 11.2%
City, State Bear, Delaware Compared to national average
+ 12.2%
City, State Delaware City, Delaware Compared to national average
+ 12.3%
City, State Harrington, Delaware Compared to national average
+ 10.6%
City, State Lewes, Delaware Compared to national average
+ 10.6%
City, State Milford, Delaware Compared to national average
+ 10.6%
City, State New Castle, Delaware Compared to national average
+ 12.4%
City, State Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Compared to national average
+ 14.5%
City, State Seaford, Delaware Compared to national average
+ 11.0%



Cost of Living by Cities in Delaware



Cost of Living by Major Cities

Click to see the cost of living for these major U.S. cities.


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About Delaware

Delaware is 96 miles (154 km) long and ranges from 9 miles (14 km) to 35 miles (56 km) across, totaling 1,954 square miles (5,060 km2), making it the second-smallest state in the United States after Rhode Island. Delaware is bounded to the north by Pennsylvania; to the east by the Delaware River, Delaware Bay, New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean; and to the west and south by Maryland. Small portions of Delaware are also situated on the eastern side of the Delaware River sharing land boundaries with New Jersey. The state of Delaware, together with the Eastern Shore counties of Maryland and two co...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia



Comments about the Cost of Living in Delaware

Delaware is a tax-friendly state with a low cost of living for some.

Delaware has no state sales tax making it popular for shoppers looking for tax-free purchases. There is also no local sales taxes making it even more attractive as a shopping destination. Delaware’s tax-free shopping is a day trip away from cities in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington DC. If you currently live in a state with a sales tax and are sick of all the “extra” costs added to each purchase, you will immediately see the advantage Delaware offers. Without a sales tax, the price of your purchase will be more straightforward. What you see on the price tag is actually what you will pay! Over time, not having to pay a tax on each purchase will help you to achieve a lower cost of living. Delaware does have a fairly high state income tax. This means that if you work in Delaware, your paycheck will be subject to both state and federal income taxes. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )

Rent vs Buy: Renting could be the better choice for a lower cost of living

The largest contributor to any cost of living estimate is housing. In Delaware, the cost of renting a home could be about the same as purchasing one, but may still be the better overall option for you. Renting generally has fewer up-front costs. If you hate the idea of having to spend time or money on yard maintenance, renting could be a better fit for you. Utilities are often included as part of the rent and may help to reduce your energy budget. Renting may also offer on-site amenities like a fitness center, pool, play area or tennis courts that would be out of reach if you were to purchase a home. Wrapping those expenses into your rent could potentially leave you with more disposable income and a lower cost of living. Renting can give you a chance to experience a new location before making the major commitment of buying a home. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )

Healthcare access and affordability and your cost of living

Delaware is ranked number 16 out of all states in overall healthcare access and affordability. Healthcare costs make up a significant part of the cost of living. The ability to afford healthcare as well as the ability to access care are key indicators of how much you will be paying for this important resource if you move to another state. Affordability is generally measured by the rates set for insurance coverage in a state, as well as the out-of-pocket expenses that need to be paid by you when receiving the care. If rates or out-of-pocket expenses are high, your cost of living will increase. Access to healthcare is how easy or difficult it may be to receive the care. Access is measured by identifying barriers that might prevent the delivery of care such as the inability to obtain insurance coverage, having to travel long distances to health care centers and lack of sufficient facilities and/or healthcare professionals. The timeliness of care, how fast you can get to see a healthcare provider, is another important measure. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )



Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?

In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )

What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )

The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly. ( 2023-07-25 salary.com )


Last Update: 2023-07-25