Cost of Living in Dewey Beach, DE

With a cost of living index of 141, Dewey Beach, DE is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Living here is 41% more expensive than the national average and 36% above the Delaware state average of 105. Dewey Beach is a small community of 328 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Dewey Beach's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,175 (11% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $871,400 (186% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 8.1x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Dewey Beach is $107,917, which is 44% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 13% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they more than offset the higher cost of living.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.