Delaware Cost of Living Calculator
Delaware scores 100.6 on the C2ER cost of living index (housing 99.1, Q2 2026): $75,000 at the U.S. average equals about $75,450 here; its highest part is health care at 103.0.
| Index | Delaware |
|---|---|
| Composite (sets the equivalent salary) | 100.6 |
| Housing (sets the equivalent rent) | 99.1 |
| Groceries | 101.6 |
| Utilities | 99.7 |
| Transportation | 96.8 |
| Health care | 103.0 |
| Other goods and services | 102.3 |
Source: MERIC Cost of Living Data Series, C2ER (https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series).
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Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index)
Additional Details
Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index, Housing component)
Equivalent Salary Needed
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Salary Difference
$450.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
Delaware's figures fill the destination side: composite 100.6 for the salary, housing 99.1 for the rent, and 6.6% top rate for the tax line.
How the salary, rent and tax lines are worked out (the same for every state)
Key State Information
Delaware ranks 20th highest of the 50 states on the composite index (100.6). Median household income: $87,534 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B19013). Statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD FY2027): $1,753 a month.
What Delaware's index does to a salary and a rent
| Salary at the U.S. average | Same buying power in Delaware | Rent at the U.S. average → in Delaware | Delaware income tax on that salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,300 | $1,000 → $991 | $2,115 (4.2%) |
| $75,000 | $75,450 | $1,500 → $1,487 | $3,639 (4.8%) |
| $100,000 | $100,600 | $2,000 → $1,982 | $5,299 (5.3%) |
| $150,000 | $150,900 | $2,500 → $2,478 | $8,618 (5.7%) |
Delaware 2026 single-filer rates, after Delaware Division of Revenue — 2025 resident instructions (PIT-RES), lines 20a and 27a (tax year 2025).
Delaware and the states it borders
| State | Its composite / housing | $75,000 there = in Delaware | $1,500 rent there = in Delaware | $75,000 in Delaware = there | Income tax there → here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 118.8 / 144.1 | $63,510 | $1,032 | $88,569 | 6.5% top rate → 6.6% top rate |
| New Jersey | 119.2 / 145.1 | $63,297 | $1,024 | $88,867 | 10.75% top rate → 6.6% top rate |
| Pennsylvania | 95.3 / 84.8 | $79,171 | $1,753 | $71,049 | 3.07% flat → 6.6% top rate |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Delaware?
Delaware's composite index is 100.6 for Q2 2026, the 20th highest of the 50 states. A $75,000 salary at the national average buys what about $75,450 buys in Delaware.
Which prices are highest and lowest in Delaware?
Against a U.S. average of 100, Delaware's highest part is health care (103.0) and its lowest is transportation (96.8); groceries, health care and other goods and services are above the national average, the other three at or below it (C2ER, Q2 2026).
What salary keeps a two-bedroom rent in Delaware at 30% of income?
About $70,120 a year: Delaware's FY2027 statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,753 a month, and $21,036 a year is 30% of that salary.