A-
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
3%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Dover Delaware National
Cost of living102108100
Goods & Services101104100
Groceries100102100
Health care99103100
Housing103121100
Transportation101102100
Utilities10798100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Dover, DE

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Dover is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Dover is 102, which is 2% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Dover are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Dover can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Dover?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 5 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Dover. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 60% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 40% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Dover Affordable?

Is Dover affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Dover, for instance, where the median home price falls 1.4% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 12.3% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Dover flaunting a median household income of $48,500, 12.3% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Dover?

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Dover, healthcare costs are 1.1% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Dover, the utilities index registers at 7.3% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Dover cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

New Real Estate Listings in Dover Area
Search Homes for Sale in Dover, DE

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Dover is 6% lower than the Delaware average
  • The cost of living in Dover is 2% higher than the national average
  • Dover housing is 3% higher than the national average
  • Delaware general sales tax is 100% lower than the national average
  • Delaware state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Dover

See all the best places to live around Dover

Compare Dover, DE Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Dover?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Dover?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Dover poll results

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$70,713$5,893$1,650$2,122
      Renters$32,541$2,712$759$976
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Dover, DE, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Dover, the median monthly income is $70,713 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,650 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $32,541, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $759 on monthly rental expenses.

      Delaware Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Delaware 0% 0%

      Delaware Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Delaware 0% 6.6%

      Goods & Services

      Item Dover National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.17$24.264.5%
      Beauty Salon $52.17$45.5614.5%
      Toothpaste $3.59$3.703.1%
      Shampoo $1.28$1.280.0%
      Movie $12.40$12.132.2%
      Bowling $19.44$18.008.0%

      Groceries

      Item Dover National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.11$5.844.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.1%
      Milk $4.68$4.670.1%
      Potatoes $5.38$4.939.0%
      Pizza $12.29$12.091.7%
      Beer $11.43$10.419.8%

      Health Care

      Item Dover National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $143.30$125.6814.0%
      Doctor $134.50$135.780.9%
      Dentist $120.11$113.296.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.51$10.651.3%
      Lipitor $377.86$468.6019.4%

      Housing

      Item Dover National avg. Difference
      Home Price $182,100.00$184,700.001.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,951.15$2,346.6916.9%
      Apartment Rent $1,066.00$949.0012.3%

      Transportation

      Item Dover National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.44$3.460.5%
      Tire Balancing $62.39$59.924.1%

      Utilities

      Item Dover National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $214.53$193.9910.6%
      Phone $195.25$192.251.6%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hartly, DE1678316.5%
      Henderson, MD1578910.7%
      Little Creek, DE288937.3%
      Leipsic, DE141954.9%
      Rodney Village, DE1,165964.1%
      Dover, DE37,8721022.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Kailua, HI37,900227127.2%
      Fort Lee, NJ37,84314140.8%
      Longview, WA37,9141098.6%
      Prince Albert, SK37,925n/a 
      Rosenberg, TX37,8161000.4%
      Dover, DE37,8721022.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.