| Index | Delaware | Ohio | National |
| Cost of living | 99 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 108 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 93 | 93 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Delaware? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Delaware stands at 99, making it 1% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Delaware is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
Is Delaware an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Delaware is 11.2% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 0.5% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Delaware has a median household income of $108,489, which is 33.4% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Delaware comes in at 4.1% 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 1.8% lower than the national average.
The Delaware cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| 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 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Ohio | 5.75% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Ohio | 2.76% | 3.99% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Kilbourne, OH | 14 | 96 | 4.2% |
| Radnor, OH | 137 | 96 | 4.2% |
| Waldo, OH | 376 | 83 | 17.0% |
| Cardington, OH | 1,608 | 86 | 14.4% |
| Magnetic Springs, OH | 357 | 87 | 13.5% |
| Delaware, OH | 42,781 | 99 | 0.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| La Quinta, CA | 42,775 | 139 | 39.3% |
| Grove City, OH | 42,755 | 101 | 1.1% |
| Rancho Palos Verdes, CA | 42,809 | 242 | 142.0% |
| Catonsville, MD | 42,742 | 124 | 23.8% |
| Bell Gardens, CA | 42,827 | 139 | 39.0% |
| Delaware, OH | 42,781 | 99 | 0.5% |
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