A+
3%
Overall NAT. AVG.
11%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
8%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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 Delaware Ohio National
Cost of living9790100
Goods & Services9096100
Groceries10199100
Health care8194100
Housing10874100
Transportation9296100
Utilities10098100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Delaware, OH

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Delaware 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 Delaware is 97, which is 3% lower 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 Delaware are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Delaware can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Everyday necessities such as clothing, personal hygiene products and recreational activities collectively contribute to the overall cost of living. The favorable news is that in Delaware, these essential goods and services are priced 10.5% below the national average. This translates to the ability to procure essential items and indulge in leisure activities without depleting one's financial resources excessively. With the resulting savings, individuals have the opportunity to allocate additional funds towards their savings or other financial objectives.

Is Delaware Affordable?

Is Delaware an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Delaware, the median home price is 11.2% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 0.5% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Delaware come in at $108,489, which is 33.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Delaware?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Delaware, healthcare costs are 19.3% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from 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 crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Delaware, the groceries index is 1% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Delaware, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Delaware is 9% higher than the Ohio average
  • The cost of living in Delaware is 3% lower than the national average
  • Delaware housing is 8% higher than the national average
  • Ohio general sales tax is 13% higher than the national average
  • Ohio state income tax is 6% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Delaware

See all the best places to live around Delaware

Compare Delaware, OH Cost of Living

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      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$140,749$11,729$3,284$4,223
      Renters$65,369$5,447$1,525$1,961
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Delaware, OH, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Delaware, homeowners have a median income of $140,749. Using that number, a maximum of $3,284 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $65,369, which means there is a maximum of $1,525 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Ohio Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Ohio 5.75% 8%

      Ohio Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Ohio 2.76% 3.99%

      Goods & Services

      Item Delaware National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.12$27.6212.7%
      Beauty Salon $48.69$51.114.7%
      Toothpaste $4.19$4.092.4%
      Shampoo $1.47$1.544.7%
      Movie $11.61$12.889.9%
      Yoga $20.79$19.665.7%

      Groceries

      Item Delaware National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.67$7.700.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.76$1.665.9%
      Milk $4.70$4.730.7%
      Potatoes $5.59$5.266.3%
      Pizza $11.99$12.766.1%
      Beer $10.46$10.550.8%

      Health Care

      Item Delaware National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $113.30$140.0619.1%
      Doctor $127.15$153.8217.3%
      Dentist $88.40$123.1528.2%
      Ibuprofen $11.65$11.730.7%
      Lipitor $19.56$23.6117.2%

      Housing

      Item Delaware National avg. Difference
      Home Price $363,301.00$326,622.0011.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,352.65$2,480.255.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,451.00$1,444.000.5%

      Transportation

      Item Delaware National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.11$3.061.6%
      Tire Balancing $45.22$65.2130.7%

      Utilities

      Item Delaware National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $222.90$220.121.3%
      Phone $191.44$195.712.2%
      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.
      Radnor, OH137937.0%
      Kilbourne, OH14937.0%
      Waldo, OH3768119.2%
      Cardington, OH1,6088316.5%
      Magnetic Springs, OH3578515.5%
      Delaware, OH42,781972.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      La Quinta, CA42,77514544.8%
      Grove City, OH42,755991.1%
      Rancho Palos Verdes, CA42,809245145.4%
      Catonsville, MD42,74212323.3%
      Bell Gardens, CA42,82714242.2%
      Delaware, OH42,781972.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.