Delaware has a reputation problem when it comes to affordability. People picture Rehoboth in peak summer, Lewes near the water, or new construction suburbs hugging the Pennsylvania line.
Prices there can feel steep, especially for first-time buyers or renters watching every line item in a monthly budget. The picture changes once you stop chasing beach proximity and start looking inland or toward smaller cities tied to job corridors.
Housing drives the story more than anything else. Delaware’s statewide typical home value sits at $399,061, based on Zillow Home Value Index data through November 30, 2025. That number alone scares people off.
Yet plenty of towns land well below it, sometimes by six figures, while still offering access to work, schools, healthcare, and basic day-to-day conveniences.
Add the fact that Delaware charges no state or local sales tax, and the math starts to soften on groceries, clothing, and other routine purchases over a year.
The list below focuses on affordability first, anchored in housing costs for both buyers and renters. Every city included stayed relatively accessible in 2025 compared with statewide benchmarks for home values and rent.
How Affordability Was Measured for 2025
Affordability is personal. A single renter, a family of four, and a dual-income household all feel housing costs differently.
For consistency, federal housing policy often treats a household as cost-burdened once housing eats up 30% or more of income. HUD and Congress both rely on that 30% framing when discussing affordable housing.
To keep the list grounded and current, the methodology leaned on three core data points:
- Typical home values from the Zillow Home Value Index city pages, as shown in late 2025
- Average rent from Zillow Rental Manager market trends, all bedroom counts and property types, generally updated December 20, 2025
- Income context from U.S. Census QuickFacts, 2019 to 2023 inflation-adjusted dollars, plus Delaware’s statewide median household income for comparison
Statewide benchmarks used throughout:
- Delaware typical home value: $399,061
- Delaware average rent: $2,000
- Delaware median household income: $82,855
Tax structure also matters in real monthly budgets. Delaware does not charge a sales tax, and effective property tax burdens tend to sit lower than national averages, though bills vary by county and assessment.
With that context set, here are 10 places where the numbers stayed relatively friendly in 2025.
Snapshot of the Most Affordable Delaware Cities in 2025
| City | Typical Home Value | Average Rent | Primary affordability driver |
| Wilmington | $236,816 | $1,650 | Lower city prices, strong job access |
| New Castle | $277,319 | $1,650 | I-95 corridor access |
| Delaware City | $293,877 | $1,395 | Small town rents below state average |
| Delmar | $274,986 | $1,975 | Border-town pricing |
| Dover | $332,601 | $1,723 | Stable employment base |
| Seaford | $306,188 | $1,763 | Inland Sussex pricing |
| Milford | $342,561 | $2,100 | Buyer value vs coastal towns |
| Georgetown | $364,602 | $1,600 | Inland county seat |
| Newport | $264,111 | $1,800 | Proximity to Wilmington |
| Bridgeville | $350,235 | $1,761 | Small-town Sussex County housing |
1. Wilmington
Wilmington anchors the affordability list for one simple reason. Entry prices remain far lower than most people expect for a city with real job density.
Typical home value sits around $236,816, one of the lowest figures in the state. Average rent runs near $1,650, which stays below the Delaware benchmark of $2,000.
Median household income from Census QuickFacts lands at $55,269. Put rent against that income, and a $1,650 monthly payment equals roughly 36% of median income on an annualized basis. That clears the federal affordability threshold, which means renters need to budget carefully unless income runs above the city median.
Who Wilmington works for:
- Renters prioritizing access to jobs, transit, and healthcare
- Buyers chasing entry-level ownership and willing to shop by block
- Households comfortable trading suburban space for price relief
2. New Castle
New Castle benefits from its geography. Sitting near I-95 and major employment routes, it manages to stay cheaper than many nearby suburbs.
Typical home value averages $277,319, with rent holding around $1,650. Median household income reaches $92,565, which changes the affordability picture fast. At that income level, a $1,650 rent takes about 21% of the median household income on paper.
Local realities to watch:
- Prices can swing depending on proximity to the airport and major roads
- Inventory stays tight due to small size
- Listings move quickly when priced well
3. Delaware City
Delaware City feels small, and that cuts both ways. Typical home value sits around $293,877, safely below the statewide average. Average rent around $1,395 lands well under Delaware’s $2,000 benchmark.
Because the town is tiny, rent averages can jump when a few listings change. Still, for renters, Delaware City remains one of the clearest examples of sub-$1,500 average rent in the state.
Why people choose it:
- Buyers seeking New Castle County pricing without suburban premiums
- Renters watching monthly cash flow closely
- Residents comfortable with limited inventory and amenities
4. Delmar
Delmar straddles the Delaware-Maryland border, and border dynamics shape pricing. Typical home value sits around $332,876, which stays attractive for buyers. Rent averages near $1,975, close to the statewide benchmark.
Rental inventory runs thin, which means rents can move month to month. Savings here often come from purchase price rather than rent.
Best fit:
- Buyers prioritizing lower entry prices
- Renters with flexibility on timing and unit type
5. Dover
Dover stays steady rather than flashy. Typical home value around $332,601, and average rent near $1,723, both sit below statewide benchmarks.
Median household income reaches $70,229. Annualized rent at $1,723 equals roughly 29% of median income, hovering right under the federal affordability threshold.
Why Dover keeps working:
- State government employment provides stability
- Central location allows access to both northern and southern counties
- Rental demand stays consistent rather than volatile
6. Seaford
Seaford offers a break from coastal Sussex pricing. Typical home value sits around $306,188 , while average rent runs near $1,763.
Median household income lands at $51,120. At that level, rent equals about 41% of median income, signaling tight affordability for renters unless household earnings exceed the local median.
Where Seaford shines:
- Buyers seeking Sussex County without beach premiums
- Households with stable income above local averages
7. Milford
Milford stays attractive for buyers, less so for renters. Typical home value around $342,561 undercuts the statewide benchmark. Average rent, however, reaches $2,100.
Median household income sits at $55,265. Rent at that level equals roughly 46% of median income, well above affordability guidelines.
Milford still makes sense when:
- Buying beats renting based on mortgage terms
- Households bring income from outside the local job base
- Buyers want Sussex and Kent County access
8. Georgetown
Georgetown benefits from being inland Sussex County rather than beach-adjacent. Typical home value lands around $364,602. Average rent sits near $1,600.
Median household income stands at $47,423. Rent equals about 40% of the median income, which requires careful planning.
Why Georgetown remains popular:
- County seat location supports steady services and jobs
- Buyers avoid coastal price pressure
- Renters value relative stability over luxury
9. Newport
Newport’s value lies in efficiency. Typical home value of around $263,274 gives buyers a lower-cost entry near Wilmington’s job market. Average rent sits near $1,800.
Rental supply stays tight due to size. Savings come more from purchase price and commute efficiency than bargain rent.
Who Newport suits:
- Buyers focused on location over square footage
- Renters prioritizing access to Wilmington
10. Bridgeville
Bridgeville rounds out the list with a typical home value of around $352,417 and an average rent of around $1,761. Both figures sit below statewide benchmarks.
Affordability often hinges on income. Rent can feel heavy if household earnings fall below the statewide median of $82,855.
Why Bridgeville works:
- Buyers stretch budgets further than coastal Sussex
- Small-town housing stock keeps prices grounded
Final Thoughts
City-level affordability can be misleading if the income context is ignored. Several cities on the list look affordable by home price but still produce high rent burden relative to local median incomes, especially Seaford and Georgetown.
Zillow rent averages also blend apartments, townhomes, and single-family rentals. Anyone planning a move should sanity-check prices using the unit type they expect to rent or buy.
Delaware rarely qualifies as cheap in absolute terms. Yet compared with neighboring states, pockets of real affordability still exist in 2025, particularly away from the coast and within commuting distance of employment hubs. For buyers and renters willing to trade beach access for balance, the numbers can still work.