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Average Rent in Delaware

Rental market overview for Delaware, powered by HUD and Census data.

Median Rent

$1,327

Median Income

$82,872

Rent Burden

29.6%

Avg FMR (2BR)

N/A

Affordability

29.6%of income to rent

Delaware: 29.6% rent burden, near the 30% affordability threshold.

<25% 25 to 30%>30%

Affordability Map: Income vs Rent in Delaware

Each dot is a city, sized by population. The diagonal line is the 30% rent to income threshold. Cities above the line tend to be unaffordable for median earners.

Cities in Delaware by median income and median rent
CityMedian incomeMedian rentRent burden
Wilmington$54,731$1,15730.2%
Dover$54,438$1,16534.4%
Newark$67,738$1,48251.0%
Middletown$104,662$1,44322.7%
Bear$83,852$1,60027.8%
Glasgow$104,692$1,69427.0%
Brookside$66,485$1,39130.1%
Hockessin$164,848$3,50146.1%
Smyrna$68,260$1,39630.5%
Milford$53,472$1,10929.1%
Pike Creek Valley$86,953$1,52525.6%
Claymont$72,840$1,20826.9%
Wilmington Manor$72,432$1,07828.1%
Seaford$49,469$1,06435.0%
Georgetown$47,238$1,16344.1%
Pike Creek$129,614$2,22026.4%
Millsboro$64,622$1,15629.6%
Edgemoor$70,672$1,27827.2%
Elsmere$70,773$1,24231.3%
New Castle$95,884$1,52521.8%
Rising Sun-Lebanon$78,205$1,62127.4%
Clayton$98,367$1,53928.3%
Laurel$42,710$88338.9%
Camden$60,549$1,59338.4%
Highland Acres$104,762$1,46332.7%
Harrington$63,814$1,12330.7%
Milton$67,763$1,21530.3%
Lewes$87,458$1,35437.4%
Dover Base Housing$67,174$1,84432.3%
Long Neck$59,563$1,26827.8%
Selbyville$93,971$1,52734.8%
Greenville$133,614$1,56119.3%
Delmar$55,625$93927.2%
Kent Acres$68,162$1,48220.6%
Millville$92,961$2,06621.9%
Woodside East$53,517$87244.3%
Delaware City$71,513$1,29530.9%
Wyoming$63,398$1,19031.2%
Cheswold$68,083$85036.7%
Greenwood$68,418$1,29923.4%
Bellefonte$81,563$1,49325.6%
Rehoboth Beach$147,273$1,34428.6%
Dagsboro$65,625$1,14018.9%
Rodney Village$33,534$1,07931.3%
Newport$62,875$1,15824.4%
Felton$55,536$86029.7%
Bethany Beach$104,167$1,39816.8%
Frederica$63,200$1,11931.9%
Blades$61,625$83027.2%
Frankford$72,841$1,27216.0%
Arden$74,620$1,21928.8%
Ellendale$64,886$1,32933.3%
Houston$92,500$1,15622.5%
Odessa$87,321$1,18135.6%
Dewey Beach$98,500$1,17923.8%
Bowers$69,500$1,18843.3%
Little Creek$57,917$1,11112.5%
Woodside$77,500$1,16051.0%
Ardentown$81,250$1,46423.8%
Ardencroft$120,658$1,33320.0%
Leipsic$46,250$1,12551.0%

How Delaware Compares to the National Average

Median Rent

$1,327▼ 2.8%

Rent Burden

29.6%▼ 2.3%

Vacancy Rate

14.7%▲ 71.4%

Delaware Rental Market Overview

Delaware has approximately 76 cities with rental data tracked by StayRentals. Roughly 26.9% of housing units in the state are renter-occupied. The state's median rent is approximately $1,327, which is 3% lower than the national median of $1,365. (Source: Census ACS)

The average Delaware renter spends approximately 29.6% of their income on rent, compared to the national average of approximately 30.3%. This suggests the state is generally in line with or more affordable than national averages. (Source: Census ACS)

With a rental vacancy rate of approximately 14.7%, the Delaware rental market may offer renters more options and negotiating power. (Source: Census ACS)

Rent Burden Distribution Across Delaware Cities

47% of cities in Delaware have a rent burden at or above 30% of household income.

City count by rent burden bracket for Delaware
Burden bracketNumber of cities
Under 25%16
25 to 30%18
30 to 35%16
35% and up14

Most and Least Affordable Cities

Most Affordable Cities

Most Expensive Cities

Most affordable cities (lowest rent burden):

  • Greenville: median rent of $1,561, median income of $133,614, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 19.3%. (Source: Census ACS)
  • Kent Acres: median rent of $1,482, median income of $68,162, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 20.6%. (Source: Census ACS)
  • New Castle: median rent of $1,525, median income of $95,884, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 21.8%. (Source: Census ACS)
  • Millville: median rent of $2,066, median income of $92,961, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 21.9%. (Source: Census ACS)
  • Middletown: median rent of $1,443, median income of $104,662, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 22.7%. (Source: Census ACS)

    • Most expensive cities (highest rent burden):

  • Newark: median rent of $1,482, with a rent burden of approximately 51.0%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)
  • Hockessin: median rent of $3,501, with a rent burden of approximately 46.1%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)
  • Woodside East: median rent of $872, with a rent burden of approximately 44.3%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)
  • Georgetown: median rent of $1,163, with a rent burden of approximately 44.1%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)
  • Laurel: median rent of $883, with a rent burden of approximately 38.9%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)

    • HUD Fair Market Rent by Bedroom

    HUD Fair Market Rent data is reported at the county level for this state. See city pages for local FMR data.

    Population vs Median Rent in Delaware

    In Delaware, larger cities tend to have similar rents regardless of size.

    Renting in Delaware: What to Know

    Renter protections and landlord-tenant laws vary by state and municipality within Delaware. Most states require landlords to provide advance notice before raising rent on month-to-month leases, though the specific notice period varies. Some municipalities within Delaware may have additional local tenant protections.

    Housing laws change frequently. For advice specific to your situation, consult a local tenant rights organization, legal aid society, or attorney. StayRentals does not provide legal advice.

    Delaware Rental Market Trends

    Rent trends for Delaware are tracked through the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for shelter costs. Nationally, rent costs have generally increased over the past decade, though the rate of increase varies by metro area and time period.

    Detailed monthly rent CPI data is available for major metropolitan areas. Visit our homepage for the national rent CPI trend chart, or explore individual city pages for local context. (Source: BLS Consumer Price Index)

    Cities in Delaware

    76 cities with rental data, sorted by population.

    Showing top 50 of 76 by population

    CityPopulationMedian RentRent BurdenFMR (2BR)
    Wilmington71,034$1,15730.2%N/A
    Dover38,879$1,16534.4%N/A
    Newark30,655$1,48251.0%N/A
    Middletown23,573$1,44322.7%N/A
    Bear23,070$1,60027.8%N/A
    Glasgow15,405$1,69427.0%N/A
    Brookside14,331$1,39130.1%N/A
    Hockessin13,878$3,50146.1%N/A
    Smyrna12,870$1,39630.5%N/A
    Milford11,714$1,10929.1%N/A
    Pike Creek Valley11,452$1,52525.6%N/A
    Claymont10,191$1,20826.9%N/A
    North Star8,370N/A9.0%N/A
    Wilmington Manor8,260$1,07828.1%N/A
    Seaford8,055$1,06435.0%N/A
    Georgetown7,247$1,16344.1%N/A
    Pike Creek6,975$2,22026.4%N/A
    Millsboro6,876$1,15629.6%N/A
    Edgemoor6,485$1,27827.2%N/A
    Elsmere6,194$1,24231.3%N/A
    New Castle5,523$1,52521.8%N/A
    Rising Sun-Lebanon4,060$1,62127.4%N/A
    Clayton3,978$1,53928.3%N/A
    Laurel3,954$88338.9%N/A
    Camden3,914$1,59338.4%N/A
    Highland Acres3,892$1,46332.7%N/A
    Harrington3,770$1,12330.7%N/A
    Milton3,349$1,21530.3%N/A
    Lewes3,339$1,35437.4%N/A
    Dover Base Housing3,262$1,84432.3%N/A
    Long Neck2,983$1,26827.8%N/A
    Selbyville2,907$1,52734.8%N/A
    Greenville2,824$1,56119.3%N/A
    Delmar2,398$93927.2%N/A
    Riverview2,270N/AN/AN/A
    Kent Acres2,124$1,48220.6%N/A
    Millville2,052$2,06621.9%N/A
    Woodside East2,002$87244.3%N/A
    Delaware City1,932$1,29530.9%N/A
    Wyoming1,888$1,19031.2%N/A
    Cheswold1,639$85036.7%N/A
    Greenwood1,556$1,29923.4%N/A
    Bellefonte1,526$1,49325.6%N/A
    Lincoln1,439N/AN/AN/A
    Rehoboth Beach1,357$1,34428.6%N/A
    Dagsboro1,338$1,14018.9%N/A
    St. Georges1,304N/AN/AN/A
    Rodney Village1,304$1,07931.3%N/A
    Newport1,145$1,15824.4%N/A
    Felton1,136$86029.7%N/A

    Data Sources

    **Data Sources:**

  • U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rents
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index for Rent of Primary Residence

    • Data is updated periodically. Census ACS data reflects 5-year estimates. HUD Fair Market Rents are updated annually. BLS rent CPI is updated monthly.

    StayRentals is not a real estate agent, landlord, or property manager. This content is for educational and informational purposes only. Rent estimates are based on government data and may not reflect current market conditions. Housing laws vary by state and municipality. Consult a local tenant rights organization or attorney for advice specific to your situation.

    Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rents, U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index.

    Data vintage: HUD FMR FY 2025, Census ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates, BLS CPI updated monthly. Government data may lag 1–2 years behind current market conditions.