Dover, DE vs Wilmington, DE

Dover, DE and Wilmington, DE have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.3% difference in their overall index. Dover scores 91 while Wilmington scores 90 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Dover is $1,252/month compared to $1,187/month in Wilmington — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wilmington is more affordable at $224,500 median vs $248,500.

Median household income in Dover is $58,336 compared to $55,269 in Wilmington (+5.5%). While Dover is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Dover spend roughly 25.8% of their income on rent, less than the 25.8% in Wilmington.