Cost of Living in Lewes, DE

With a cost of living index of 139, Lewes, DE is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 39% more expensive than the national average and 34% above the Delaware state average of 105. Lewes is a small community of 3,415 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Lewes's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,271 (4% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $806,700 (165% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 8.7x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Lewes is $92,375, which is 23% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 17% 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 do not fully 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.