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Cost & Benefits

Most affordable towns in Delaware, 2026

Middletown is the most affordable ranked town in Delaware. Rent, the regional price level, taxes, and electricity are 22.5% each. Gasoline is 10%. A lower score is more affordable.

Summary

20
Towns ranked in Delaware.
Middletown
Number 1 in Delaware. Rent is 16.8% of income. National rank 3026.
23.5%
Median rent share among ranked towns in Delaware.
0
Ranked Delaware towns in the national top 100.
Edgemoor
Least affordable ranked town in Delaware. Rent is 29.0% of income. National rank 4957.

Gasoline

$4.470

per gallon. EIA does not publish a Delaware price. This is the Central Atlantic (PADD 1B) price for the week of October 12, 2026. At 12,000 miles a year and 25 mpg, that is $2,145.60 a year for every ranked town in Delaware.

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Cost & Benefits. "2026 Most Affordable Towns Index: Delaware." October 16, 2026. https://costandbenefits.com/reports/most-affordable-towns-2026/delaware

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Benefits and taxes in Delaware

Top 25

Delaware has 20 ranked towns, so this is the full list.

  1. #1 in Delaware · National #3026

    Middletown

    Rent share 16.8% · Price level 102.6 · Score 0.442

    Median rent is $1,583 a month and median income is $112,831, so rent is 16.8% of income, under the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro price level is 102.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  2. #2 in Delaware · National #3106

    Wilmington Manor

    Rent share 17.8% · Price level 102.6 · Score 0.449

    Median rent is $1,155 a month and median income is $78,078, so rent is 17.8% of income, under the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro price level is 102.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  3. #3 in Delaware · National #3263

    Millsboro

    Rent share 19.5% · Price level 99.8 · Score 0.460

    Median rent is $1,277 a month and median income is $78,707, so rent is 19.5% of income, under the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Delaware state price level is 99.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  4. #4 in Delaware · National #3623

    Pike Creek

    Rent share 19.4% · Price level 102.6 · Score 0.487

    Median rent is $2,262 a month and median income is $139,635, so rent is 19.4% of income, under the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro price level is 102.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  5. #5 in Delaware · National #3822

    Pike Creek Valley

    Rent share 20.5% · Price level 102.6 · Score 0.506

    Median rent is $1,751 a month and median income is $102,434, so rent is 20.5% of income, under the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro price level is 102.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  6. #6 in Delaware · National #3849

    Claymont

    Rent share 21.0% · Price level 102.6 · Score 0.508

    Median rent is $1,306 a month and median income is $74,712, so rent is 21.0% of income, under the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro price level is 102.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  7. #7 in Delaware · National #4043

    Glasgow

    Rent share 21.5% · Price level 102.6 · Score 0.523

    Median rent is $2,039 a month and median income is $113,982, so rent is 21.5% of income, under the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro price level is 102.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is gasoline price.

  8. #8 in Delaware · National #4115

    Brookside

    Rent share 22.1% · Price level 102.6 · Score 0.529

    Median rent is $1,444 a month and median income is $78,328, so rent is 22.1% of income, under the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro price level is 102.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  9. #9 in Delaware · National #4202

    Dover

    Rent share 26.8% · Price level 97.5 · Score 0.538

    Median rent is $1,344 a month and median income is $60,199, so rent is 26.8% of income, over the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Dover, DE metro price level is 97.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  10. #10 in Delaware · National #4284

    Seaford

    Rent share 26.1% · Price level 99.8 · Score 0.545

    Median rent is $1,176 a month and median income is $54,016, so rent is 26.1% of income, over the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Delaware state price level is 99.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  11. #11 in Delaware · National #4291

    Elsmere

    Rent share 23.6% · Price level 102.6 · Score 0.546

    Median rent is $1,339 a month and median income is $67,944, so rent is 23.6% of income, over the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro price level is 102.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  12. #12 in Delaware · National #4293

    Milford

    Rent share 25.4% · Price level 99.8 · Score 0.546

    Median rent is $1,260 a month and median income is $59,464, so rent is 25.4% of income, over the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Delaware state price level is 99.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  13. #13 in Delaware · National #4297

    Smyrna

    Rent share 27.5% · Price level 97.5 · Score 0.546

    Median rent is $1,534 a month and median income is $67,048, so rent is 27.5% of income, over the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Dover, DE metro price level is 97.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  14. #14 in Delaware · National #4334

    Bear

    Rent share 23.2% · Price level 102.6 · Score 0.549

    Median rent is $1,771 a month and median income is $91,687, so rent is 23.2% of income, under the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro price level is 102.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  15. #15 in Delaware · National #4354

    New Castle

    Rent share 23.4% · Price level 102.6 · Score 0.551

    Median rent is $1,739 a month and median income is $89,205, so rent is 23.4% of income, under the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro price level is 102.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  16. #16 in Delaware · National #4501

    Wilmington

    Rent share 25.0% · Price level 102.6 · Score 0.561

    Median rent is $1,224 a month and median income is $58,671, so rent is 25.0% of income, over the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro price level is 102.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  17. #17 in Delaware · National #4617

    Hockessin

    Rent share 24.5% · Price level 102.6 · Score 0.569

    Median rent is $3,501 a month and median income is $171,204, so rent is 24.5% of income, over the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro price level is 102.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  18. #18 in Delaware · National #4788

    Georgetown

    Rent share 34.0% · Price level 99.8 · Score 0.583

    Median rent is $1,410 a month and median income is $49,719, so rent is 34.0% of income, over the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Delaware state price level is 99.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  19. #19 in Delaware · National #4819

    Newark

    Rent share 25.8% · Price level 102.6 · Score 0.586

    Median rent is $1,654 a month and median income is $76,912, so rent is 25.8% of income, over the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro price level is 102.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  20. #20 in Delaware · National #4957

    Edgemoor

    Rent share 29.0% · Price level 102.6 · Score 0.597

    Median rent is $1,438 a month and median income is $59,424, so rent is 29.0% of income, over the 23.5% median for ranked towns in Delaware. The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro price level is 102.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 18.48 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.470 a gallon (Central Atlantic (PADD 1B)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is tax burden and its heaviest mark is rent share.

Least affordable 10

Every ranked town in Delaware is already in the list above.

The formula

A lower score is more affordable. Rent share, the regional price level, taxes, and electricity each count 22.5%. Gasoline counts 10%. Those weights are our choice. Gasoline stays at 10% because the miles figure is one national standard, not a measured town commute. This is not a government standard.

A percentile is the share of ranked towns with a strictly lower number, divided by the number of ranked towns minus one. The lowest number scores 0. Tied numbers share a percentile.

  1. Rent share = (median monthly rent × 12) / median household income. Both figures are the Census 2020–2024 medians for that place.
  2. RPP-adjusted cost is the BEA 2024 all-items regional price parity. A basket priced at 100 for the U.S. average costs this many dollars in the town's area. We use the metro index when the county is in a metro BEA publishes. Otherwise we use the state index and say so. This index includes housing, so housing also shows up in the rent share.
  3. Tax burden is the average of three percentiles. Income-tax share is state income tax plus the stored 2023 local AGI add-on, divided by the town's median household income, on a joint return. Property share is the state's median effective property-tax rate times the town's median home value, divided by income. Sales rate is the combined state and average local sales-tax rate. We do not turn the sales rate into dollars, because that would require a shopping basket we do not have.
  4. Electricity is the state residential price in cents per kilowatt-hour. Every town in a state shares it. We do not guess how many kilowatt-hours a home uses.
  5. Gasoline is the EIA retail price for all grades and all formulations, in dollars per gallon. Where EIA publishes a state series, we use that state. Every other state uses the PADD region EIA assigns to it. Census does not publish commuting miles for these towns, so annual gas spend is 12,000 miles a year divided by 25 miles per gallon, times the price. That is 480 gallons, the same for every town. Those miles are our standard, not an ACS figure and not a government mileage rule. Because the gallons do not change, the gas percentile is the percentile of the price.

    Weekly prices are for the week of October 12, 2026, from the EIA workbook released October 14, 2026. File: https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/xls/pswrgvwall.xls. Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and Oregon use West Coast (PADD 5) Except California. That series is not in the weekly workbook, so those five use the monthly price dated September 15, 2026. File: https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_a_epm0_pte_dpgal_m.htm.

    • State series, week of October 12, 2026: California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Texas, Washington.
    • Central Atlantic (PADD 1B), week of October 12, 2026: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
    • Gulf Coast (PADD 3), week of October 12, 2026: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico.
    • Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C), week of October 12, 2026: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia.
    • Midwest (PADD 2), week of October 12, 2026: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin.
    • New England (PADD 1A), week of October 12, 2026: Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont.
    • Rocky Mountain (PADD 4), week of October 12, 2026: Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming.
    • West Coast (PADD 5) Except California, September 15, 2026: Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon.

Score = 0.225 × rent percentile + 0.225 × price-level percentile + 0.225 × tax score + 0.225 × electricity percentile + 0.10 × gasoline percentile. Rank 1 is the lowest score. If scores tie, the lower rent share wins, then the lower price level, then the place slug in A-to-Z order.

Questions

What is the most affordable town in Delaware in this index?

Middletown is number 1 of 20 ranked towns in Delaware. Median rent is 16.8% of median income. Its national rank is 3026.

How many towns in Delaware were ranked?

20 towns in Delaware have at least 5,000 people and published Census rent, income, and home value. Places missing one of those figures are left out.

Does this ranking approve benefits in Delaware?

No. Cost & Benefits does not approve or deny benefits. The score is a cost comparison only.