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Cost of Living in Laurel, DE

Population: 4,043 | Delaware

78
Cost of Living Index
US Average = 100

Laurel is 22% less expensive than the national average.

70
Housing
63
Home Values
97
Regional Price

Cost of Living in Laurel, DE: What You Need to Know

With a cost of living index of 78, Laurel, DE is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 22% cheaper than the national average and 27% below the Delaware state average of 105. Laurel is a small community of 4,043 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Laurel's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $924 (30% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $192,700 (37% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 4.3x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in Laurel is $44,593, which is 41% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 25% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

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.

Income

Median Household Income
$44,593
vs US Median ($75,149)
-41%

Housing

Median Rent
$924/mo
Median Home Value
$192,700
Median Monthly Housing Cost
$946/mo
→ Best Places to Live in Delaware (2026)

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