Delaware Cost of Living Calculator 2026
Compare cost of living in Delaware to other US states and cities. See equivalent salary needed when relocating.
By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated October 19, 2026 · Methodology
Equivalent Salary Needed
$93,693.69
Difference
-$6,306.31
Cost Difference
-6.31%
Cost of Living Comparison
| Austin, TX Index | 111 |
| Wilmington, DE Index | 104 |
| National Average | 100 |
| Your Current Salary | $100,000.00 |
| Equivalent in Wilmington, DE | $93,693.69 |
| You would need less | $6,306.31 |
Breakdown by Category (Annual)
| Housing | -17.50% |
| Current (Austin, TX) | $40,000.00 |
| Target (Wilmington, DE) | $33,000.00 |
| Food & Groceries | +5.00% |
| Current (Austin, TX) | $15,000.00 |
| Target (Wilmington, DE) | $15,750.00 |
| Transportation | +8.00% |
| Current (Austin, TX) | $15,000.00 |
| Target (Wilmington, DE) | $16,200.00 |
| Healthcare | -0.95% |
| Current (Austin, TX) | $10,000.00 |
| Target (Wilmington, DE) | $9,904.76 |
Cost of living indices are approximate and based on aggregate data. Individual expenses may vary significantly. Housing costs tend to have the largest impact when moving between cities.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
Delaware Cost of Living Overview
Understanding the cost of living in Delaware means looking at taxes, housing, and everyday expenses together. Delaware levies a progressive income tax, which directly impacts take-home pay. The average property tax rate is 0.51%, and the state sales tax rate is 0.00%.
Delaware's tax mix gives household budgets an unusual shape. There's no sales tax at all, so day-to-day spending, groceries, clothing, a new appliance, costs exactly the sticker price, which quietly boosts the buying power of every dollar. Property taxes are light too, averaging about 0.51% of home value versus roughly 0.9% nationally, so housing carries a smaller annual tax drag than in most states. The state income tax is moderate, topping out at 6.6%, leaving the overall tax burden friendlier than many neighbors in the Northeast corridor.
Housing is the variable that swings budgets the most. Northern Delaware around Wilmington tends to run pricier than central and southern areas like Dover or the inland parts of Sussex County, while beach towns command a premium of their own. When comparing a salary offer between cities, weigh the local housing cost and property tax rate against the constant of 0% sales tax statewide, since the no-sales-tax advantage applies everywhere in Delaware equally. A wage that looks lower on paper can stretch further here once you account for what you're not paying at the register and on a relatively modest property tax bill.
Delaware Cost Snapshot (2026)
| Avg. Property Tax Rate | 0.51% |
| State Sales Tax Rate | 0.00% |
| Minimum Wage | $15.00/hr |
| State Income Tax | Progressive (up to 6.6%) |
| State Disability Insurance (SDI) | No |
| Estate / Inheritance Tax | No |
| Local/City Taxes | Wilmington levies a 1.25% wage tax on people who live or work in the city; no other Delaware locality taxes income. |
City indexes (U.S. average = 100) are planning estimates on one scale. The 29 cities added in August 2026 were reconciled from BestPlaces city pages, the Payscale and RentCafe cost-of-living calculators (both built on the C2ER Cost of Living Index) and the MERIC state index for Q1 2026; the original 30 large metros date from April 2026 and have not been re-checked since. Local rents and home prices can differ a lot within a metro, and the equivalent salary does not account for income taxes.
Official Sources: