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State

Data from November 2026

Housing , home prices, rents and assistance in Delaware (2026)

A typical home in Delaware is worth $352,000; the typical rent is $1,401 a month. Depending on the county, the FHA limit for a one-unit home is between $541,287 and $630,200. 12 HUD-approved counseling agencies serve Delaware; 6 say they serve you in Spanish.

Most populous:

Typical home value by county

  • Under $316,600
  • $316,600–$352,200
  • $352,200–$352,200
  • $352,200–$382,600
  • $382,600 or more

Tap the map to see each county’s figure and open its page.

Typical home value
$352,000
6% more than the U.S.
U.S.: $332,700
Typical rent per month
$1,401
About the same as the U.S.
U.S.: $1,413
Typical household income
$84,954
5% more than the U.S.
U.S.: $80,734
FHA limit, 1 unit
$541,287 to $630,200
It changes by county. The highest: New Castle County.
U.S.: $541,287 to $1,299,500
Property tax
0.5%
of value a year
The typical bill is $1,768 a year.
U.S.: 0.94%

Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD)

In short

Living in Delaware

In Delaware, a typical home is worth $352,000, about the same as in the United States overall. Across its 3 counties, the typical value runs from $316,600 in Kent County to $382,600 in Sussex County. A typical household earns $84,954 a year and pays $1,401 a month in rent; 50% of renters put 30% or more of their income toward housing. 73% of households live in a home they own; they pay a typical property tax of $1,768 a year, about 0.5% of value.

The conforming loan limit for a one-unit home is $832,750 across Delaware. To pay HUD’s fair rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Delaware ($1,727) without spending more than 30% of income, you need about $33.21 an hour working full time.

Source: Conforming loan limits (FHFA) Data from 2026 data Conforming loan limits (FHFA) Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD)

The essentials in Delaware

More on property tax

  • School property tax credit for owners 65 and older

    If you are 65 or older and own your home, you can get a credit of 50 percent of the regular school property tax, up to $500. The credit applies only to the tax on your primary residence.

    Delaware Department of Finance · Verified October 24, 2026

  • ID needed to apply for the senior credit

    When you apply for the senior credit, each applicant must give a copy of their Delaware driver's license or official Delaware State identification.

    Delaware Department of Finance (Senior School Property Tax Credit application) · Verified October 24, 2026

  • Deadline: senior credit application by April 30

    You claim the senior credit on the official form. The application must be filed with and received by your county's receiver of taxes or county treasurer no later than April 30 before the tax year begins.

    Delaware General Assembly (Delaware Code, Title 14) · Verified October 24, 2026

  • When to appeal the assessment to the county board

    In New Castle County, you file a written assessment appeal with the Board of Assessment Review before March 15. The board gives at least 10 days' notice of the time, place and manner of the hearing; if you do not appear, the appeal is treated as abandoned. In Kent and Sussex, the county Board of Assessment Review hears appeals from March 1 to May 31 each year (or until all are heard in a reassessment year).

    Delaware General Assembly (Delaware Code, Title 9) · Verified October 24, 2026

  • State realty transfer tax

    The State charges a realty transfer tax of 3 percent of the property's value. If the municipality or county where the home is located has enacted its full 1.5 percent local tax, the State rate is 2.5 percent. The law splits the tax equally between seller and buyer. No tax is charged when the property's actual value is under $100.

    Delaware General Assembly (Delaware Code, Title 30) · Verified October 24, 2026

  • Transfer tax reduction for first-time home buyers

    The transfer tax is typically shared equally by buyer and seller. If you are buying your first home, the rate you pay as the buyer drops by half a percent (0.5 percent); for most buyers it goes from 1.25 to 0.75 percent, claimed at closing. The reduction is capped at $2,000 and applies only to the first $400,000 of value. It is for people who have never held any direct legal interest in residential real estate and who intend to live in the home as their principal residence within 90 days after closing.

    Delaware Division of Revenue · Verified October 24, 2026

The homes here

Housing in Delaware

What homes there are in Delaware, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

The detached house is the most common home in Delaware: 59% of homes, near the figure in the U.S. (61%).

Year built

The typical home in Delaware was built in 1987, 7 years after the typical one in the U.S..

There is more room for a big family here: 72% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, against 61% in the U.S..

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

The most common value range in Delaware is between $300K and $500K: that is where 40% of owner-occupied homes sit.

Monthly rent with utilities

The largest group of rented homes in Delaware pays between $1,000 and $1,499 a month: 38%.

With a mortgage

$1,816 a month

United States: $1,963 a month

Without a mortgage

$562 a month

United States: $638 a month

Owners with a mortgage

64%

United States: 61%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Delaware is $1,816 a month, less than in the U.S. ($1,963); without one, $562.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in Delaware rose 40% since 2015–2019, less than in the U.S. (53%).

Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Delaware rose 24%, less than in the U.S. (33%).

While home values in Delaware changed +40% and rent +24%, the typical household income rose 24%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureDelawareUnited States
Rental vacancy 5.0%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy 0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room 2.1%3.4%
People per household 2.482.53
Drive alone 72%69%
Carpool 8%9%
Public transit 2%3%
Walk or bike 2%3%
Work from home 15%15%
Other means 1%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in the U.S., the rental vacancy rate in Delaware is 5.0%.

In Delaware, 2.1% of households live with more than one person per room, against 3.4% in the U.S..

A household in Delaware has 2.48 people on average, about the same as in the U.S. (2.53).

The car rules in Delaware: 72% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 20 to 29 minutes.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Places

Explore the counties in Delaware

Sort by any column. Each name leads to its page.

See the counties page
Population, typical home value, FHA limit, 2-bedroom fair rent and typical income by county in Delaware
New Castle County577,961$352,200$630,200$1,860$91,166
Sussex County255,626$382,600$541,287$1,498$81,497
Kent County187,604$316,600$541,287$1,629$74,477

Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD)

Calculator

Work out your payment in Delaware

Start from the typical home value in Delaware, $352,000, and this week’s average rate. Move the price and the down payment to see your monthly payment. If you already visited a county, the calculator uses its numbers.

More math for Delaware

$
%

Estimated monthly payment

$2,790

FHA loan over 30 years, with estimated taxes and insurance.

See the full calculation

Prices and risks

Three official measures that help you decide: how much home prices have changed according to FHFA, how prices compare with the national average according to BEA, and how many homes sit in a flood zone according to FEMA.

Home prices

How have home prices changed?

According to the FHFA House Price Index, home prices in Delaware rose 74% in the 10 years through 2025.

Price change each year

Period Delaware United States
In 2025 +3.2% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +51% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +74% +85%

The index follows the prices of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals on loans bought or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual state indexes experimental.

Source: FHFA House Price Index (HPI) Data from 2025 data FHFA House Price Index (HPI)

Cost of living

How expensive are prices here?

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), in 2024 prices in Delaware were about the same than the U.S. average. Housing rents were 1% higher than nationwide.

Category Delaware United States Versus the U.S.
All prices Consumer goods and services 99.8 100.0 about the same
Housing rents What renters pay 102.0 100.6 1% more
Water, power and gas Water, sewer, electricity and gas 103.8 98.4 5% more
Goods Food, clothing, transportation and more 96.2 99.6 3% less
Other services Services other than rent 101.2 100.1 1% more

BEA expresses each index as a percentage of the average U.S. price level: a higher number means higher prices, and a lower one, lower prices.

Source: Regional price parities (BEA) Data from 2024 data Regional price parities (BEA)

Flooding

Is there a flood risk?

According to FEMA, in Delaware 5.7% of homes (20,853) are in a high-risk flood zone. Of those homes, 58% have NFIP flood insurance.

  • A high-risk zone (Special Flood Hazard Area) has a 1% or greater chance of flooding each year. 44 CFR 59.1
  • If the home is in that zone and the loan comes from a regulated lender, federal law requires flood insurance for the life of the loan, in communities that take part in the NFIP. 42 U.S.C. 4012a
  • Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. FEMA, FloodSmart
Delaware United States
Homes in a high-risk zone 5.7% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 58% 48%
All homes with NFIP insurance 4.8% 2.9%

The NFIP is the federal flood insurance program; private policies are not counted. FEMA counts homes with its National Structure Inventory. We add up the county figures FEMA publishes.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map Source: Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) As of August 3, 2026 Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA)

Places

Cities in Delaware

The 3 most populous cities with a page. Each one compares its prices and rents with its county.

See the other cities (18)

    Help to buy

    Assistance programs in Delaware

    Our list has 3 official programs that help you buy in Delaware. Each card says what kind of help it gives and when we checked its official page.

    See all 3 programs
    1. Home Sweet Home

      Delaware state authority second loan of $12,000 at 0%, forgiven 10% for each year you live in the home (all of it after 10 years), for homes up to $285,000; the agency announced it as a temporary program. Offered by Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA).

      Forgivable Verified November 5, 2026

    2. Keys4You Home Loan

      Delaware state authority 0% second mortgage equal to 4% of your mortgage, for the down payment and closing costs, with no monthly payments until you sell, refinance or stop living in the home; with the Welcome Home (first-time buyers) or Open Door (any buyer) mortgages. Offered by Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA).

      Deferred Verified November 5, 2026

    3. Take5 Home Loan

      Delaware state authority 0% second mortgage equal to 5% of your mortgage, for the down payment and closing costs, with no monthly payments until you sell, refinance or stop living in the home; only with the Welcome Home mortgage for first-time buyers. Offered by Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA).

      Deferred Verified November 5, 2026

    Tenant rights

    Tenant rights in Delaware

    Delaware law answers 2 of these 5 questions, each answer with its citation. Where it says “Data not available”, we have not verified it against the source yet.

    A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.

    See every right

    1. How much can they charge for a deposit?

      In Delaware, if your rental agreement is for 1 year or more, the landlord cannot require a security deposit of more than 1 month's rent. If you rent month to month or with no set term, the same limit applies once you have rented for 1 year: the landlord must credit you any amount above 1 month's rent. These limits do not apply to furnished units.

      25 Del. C. §5514(a)(2)-(4)

    2. When must they return my deposit?

      Data not available

    3. If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?

      Data not available

    4. How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?

      Data not available

    5. Are there limits on late fees?

      The landlord can charge a late fee only if your rental agreement says so. The fee cannot be more than 5% of the monthly rent and cannot be charged within 5 days of the due date. The late fee counts as rent. If the landlord has no office or fixed place to take payments in the county where the home is, you get 3 more days to pay.

      25 Del. C. §5501(d)

    A family roasts marshmallows over a campfire at a forest campsite.

    Help and advice

    Who can help you in Delaware?

    You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counselor gives independent advice on buying, renting, late payments and credit, often free or at low cost.

    12 HUD-approved counseling agencies serve Delaware; 6 say they serve you in Spanish. Choose your county to see the closest ones with their phone number.

    6 public housing authorities run Section 8 vouchers and public housing in Delaware.

    See all 12 agencies See the housing agencies

    Who runs the help in Delaware

    • Housing Delaware (Delaware State Housing Authority)

      Housing Delaware (the Delaware State Housing Authority) says its Delaware Mortgage Program offers 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages at or below standard market rates, paired with down payment and closing cost assistance for qualified buyers.

      The agency's official page · Verified October 24, 2026

    Where to file a complaint in Delaware

    • Where to file a housing discrimination complaint

      The Delaware Division of Human and Civil Rights takes housing discrimination complaints. You have one (1) year from the date you believe you were discriminated against to file. The page says all persons have equal opportunity and equal access to live wherever they choose, if qualified, regardless of race, age, marital status, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, housing status, military status and source of income.

      Delaware Division of Human and Civil Rights · Verified October 24, 2026

    • Help with insurance questions or complaints

      The Delaware Insurance Commissioner's Consumer Services Division protects, advocates for and informs consumers about their insurance rights and options. You can contact it with general questions or with problems or complaints, by email or by phone at 1-800-282-8611 (in Delaware) or (302) 674-7310.

      Delaware Department of Insurance · Verified October 24, 2026

    • Delaware FAIR Plan for homes that cannot get private coverage

      If you cannot get property insurance in the voluntary market, you can ask the Delaware FAIR Plan (Insurance Placement Facility of Delaware), which state law requires to exist, for a quote. It covers the structure and your personal contents but does not include liability coverage. In many cases a FAIR Plan policy satisfies your mortgage lender's insurance requirements; the Department says to confirm with your mortgage company.

      Delaware Department of Insurance · Verified October 24, 2026

    Guides

    Guides for you in Delaware

    We picked them with the numbers of Delaware. Each one says why it can help you.

    Frequently asked questions about housing in Delaware

    What is the FHA limit in Delaware in 2026?

    In Delaware, the FHA limit for a one-unit home runs from $541,287 to $630,200. The highest is in New Castle County.

    How much does a typical home cost in Delaware?

    The typical home value in Delaware is $352,000 (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). The highest is in Sussex County ($382,600) and the lowest in Kent County ($316,600).

    How much does it cost to rent in Delaware?

    The typical rent in Delaware is $1,401 a month (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census).

    How much do you need to earn to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in Delaware?

    At HUD's average fair market rent in Delaware ($1,727, Fiscal year 2027), about $33.21 an hour working full time, so rent stays under 30% of income.

    How much is property tax in Delaware?

    The typical property tax in Delaware is $1,768 a year, about 0.5% of home value (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census).

    Where can I find free help in Spanish to buy a home in Delaware?

    There are 12 HUD-approved counseling agencies in Delaware; 6 say they serve you in Spanish. Each county page lists the closest ones with their phone number.

    Sources: American Community Survey (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (As of August 3, 2026); Regional price parities (2024 data); Census Bureau cartographic boundary files (2024 data).