Elsmere, DE vs Smyrna, DE

Elsmere, DE and Smyrna, DE have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.5% difference in their overall index. Elsmere scores 93 while Smyrna scores 97 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 Elsmere is $1,305/month compared to $1,398/month in Smyrna — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Elsmere is more affordable at $210,200 median vs $273,400.

Median household income in Elsmere is $76,378 compared to $70,473 in Smyrna (+8.4%). Elsmere offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Elsmere spend roughly 20.5% of their income on rent, less than the 23.8% in Smyrna.