Delaware
Among the top 20% of US states for lifestyle & connectivity.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 41% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade D, better than 18% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 29% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B, better than 61% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B+, better than 80% of US states
- top 3% for sales tax
- top 10% for park & nature access
- bottom 14% for sunny days
Delaware is a U.S. state with about 994,000 residents. It grades B+ for lifestyle & connectivity and D for weather. Standout strengths include sales tax, park & nature access, and broadband access. It rates lower on natural disaster risk and sunny days.
Official websitedelaware.gov (opens in new tab)
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$80k67th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$56kbetter than 32% of US states
Home Value$308k61st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 35% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 43% of US states
Property Tax Rate0.61%better than 73% of US states
Income Tax7.08%better than 24% of US states
Sales Tax0.00%better than 97% of US states
Estimated total tax burden9.38%better than 70% of US states
Unemployment5.4%better than 33% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)34°F55th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)77°F59th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation47.8 in69th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall15.7 inbetter than 53% of US states
Sunny Days201 daysbetter than 14% of US states
Summer Humidity66°Fbetter than 33% of US states
Comfortable Days86 daysbetter than 58% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk93.0better than 14% of US states
Air Quality49 AQIbetter than 20% of US states
School Quality80.5better than 78% of US states
Violent Crime1531/100kbetter than 24% of US states
Property Crime1955/100kbetter than 38% of US states
Community
Population993,63512th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age41.988th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.5378th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.954th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+2018th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)60.1%35th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)21.5%86th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)9.9%45th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)4.1%69th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)4.4%47th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time26 minbetter than 37% of US states
Walkability9.7/20better than 65% of US states
Airport Distance45 mibetter than 69% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access90.4%better than 82% of US states
Amenities Nearby1.58better than 22% of US states
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 90% of US states
Frequently asked questions
- Is Delaware an affordable place to live?
- Delaware is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $56k, better than 32% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Delaware?
- The median home value in Delaware is $308k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Delaware?
- Median household income in Delaware is $80k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Delaware?
- Median gross rent in Delaware is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Delaware safe?
- Delaware is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1531/100k (better than 24%). Property crime is 1955/100k.
- What is the weather like in Delaware?
- Delaware averages 77°F in July and 34°F in January, with 47.8 in of annual precipitation and about 201 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Delaware?
- Public-school quality in Delaware is above average, scoring better than 78% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Delaware?
- The average one-way commute in Delaware is 26 min.
Best places to live in Delaware
Top cities in Delaware
Counties in Delaware
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)