| Index | Wilmington | Delaware | National |
| Cost of living | 100 | 107 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 100 | 123 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 102 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 104 | 102 | 100 |
| Household Items | 103 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 99 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Wilmington can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Wilmington cost of living index is 100, which is 0% equal to the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in Wilmington closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Wilmington can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Wilmington affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Wilmington, the median home price is 3.6% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 9.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Wilmington boasting a median household income of $67,127, 17.5% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Wilmington, is 0.4% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Wilmington, the transportation index is 1% lower than the national average.
The Wilmington cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical 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 | $99,018 | $8,252 | $2,310 | $2,971 |
| Renters | $45,615 | $3,801 | $1,064 | $1,369 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Delaware | 0% | 0% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Delaware | 2.2% | 6.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cheyney University, PA | 198 | 99 | 0.8% |
| Prospect Park CDP, PA | 233 | 79 | 21.0% |
| Salem, NJ | 4,860 | 85 | 15.1% |
| Chester, PA | 35,117 | 86 | 13.9% |
| Marcus Hook, PA | 2,381 | 87 | 12.6% |
| Wilmington, DE | 72,823 | 100 | 0.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Woodbury, MN | 72,852 | 122 | 21.9% |
| Casas Adobes, AZ | 72,858 | 108 | 7.5% |
| St. Albert, AB | 73,103 | n/a | |
| St. Charles, MO | 72,409 | 101 | 1.4% |
| Pittsburg, CA | 73,362 | 146 | 46.5% |
| Wilmington, DE | 72,823 | 100 | 0.5% |
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