Delaware has a cost of living index of 105 (US average = 100) with a median household income of $85,962 and a population of 435,168. We ranked 15 cities based on affordability, income, housing value, and climate to find the best places to call home in Delaware.
North Star is 22% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $167,664 and a population of 8,178.
Middletown is 16% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $115,252 and a population of 24,071.
Bear is 10% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $88,985 and a population of 22,604.
Elsmere is 7% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $76,378 and a population of 6,189.
Pike Creek Valley is 9% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $93,896 and a population of 11,992.
Glasgow is 19% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $109,803 and a population of 16,095.
New Castle is 8% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $92,565 and a population of 5,519.
Wilmington Manor is 12% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $72,346 and a population of 8,030.
Claymont is 4% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $75,808 and a population of 9,543.
Brookside is 1% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $72,031 and a population of 15,262.
Millsboro is 5% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $77,750 and a population of 7,152.
Wilmington is 10% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $55,269 and a population of 71,124.
Smyrna is 3% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $70,473 and a population of 13,031.
Edgemoor is 3% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $79,572 and a population of 6,671.
Dover is 9% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $58,336 and a population of 39,491.
Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average), income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau), housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates). Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).
Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.