Delaware attracts Americans from all over. And there are good reasons why: cheaper houses, quality education, and affordable cost of living. You canāt go wrong with the Diamond State!
Although property prices have risen in recent years, the average home value in the top 10 cheapest cities is still only around $400,000. Harrington’s cost of living is 4.3% lower than the state average, and Dover is 4.3% more affordable than the rest of the country.
But thatās not all! Retirees can enjoy New Castle’s friendly community and peaceful environment, with homes averaging a nominal $267K. Meanwhile, Magnolia offers a booming job market in education, healthcare, and technology, with median home prices at just $410,956.
Cheapest Places to Live in Delaware in 2024
Here’s our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Delaware. We’ve considered the average household income, median list price, median house rent, and the population of the cities.
| City | Median Home Value | Median House Rent | Cost of Living | Median Household Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Harrington | $259,185 | $1,200 | 4.3% lower ā¬ļø | $62,639 | 3,860 |
| 2. New Castle | $267,471 | $1,580 | 0.6% higher ā¬ļø | $95,884 | 5,549 |
| 3. Laurel | $295,523 | $1,295 | 4.4% lower ā¬ļø | $34,615 | 4,275 |
| 4. Seaford | $302,703 | $1,695 | 1% lower ā¬ļø | $49,469 | 8,735 |
| 5. Wilmington | $309,840 | $1,706 | 0.6% higher ā¬ļø | $54,731 | 71,675 |
| 6. Delmar | $317,145 | $785 | 2% lower ā¬ļø | $49,130 | 2,216 |
| 7. Dover | $322,518 | $1,750 | 4.3% lower ā¬ļø | $54,438 | 39,894 |
| 8. Magnolia | $410,956 | $2,000 | 1.0% lower ā¬ļø | $62,500 | 285 |
| 9. Smyrna | $394,015 | $1,775 | 1.0% lower ā¬ļø | $68,260 | 13,277 |
| 10. Camden | $379,467 | $2,000 | 1.0% lower ā¬ļø | $60,549 | 4,188 |
10 Cheapest Places to Live in Delaware
Here’s our list of 10 cities that offer affordable living options in the Diamond State:
#1 Harrington
- Median house rent is $1,200 | Rental prices range between $1,200 and $1,400.
- Median home value of Harrington is $259,185.
- Cost of living in Harrington is 4.3% cheaper than the state average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Harrington, DE: 19720 | 19958 | 19702
Harrington is an affordable place to live in Delaware, with housing costs 35.6% lower than the national average. It is located in close proximity to major cities like New York City, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia. The city also boasts a sizeable casino, several historical sites, and hosts Delaware’s State Fair. This provides residents with diverse entertainment opportunities.
Ā» Harrington Homes for Sale: Find a cheap home for sale in Delaware.
#2 New Castle
- Median house rent is $1,580 | Rental prices range between $1,275 and $2,975.
- Median home value of New Castle is $267,471.
- Cost of living in New Castle is 0.6% higher than the state average.
- 3 Popular Zips in New Castle, DE: 19720 | 19958 | 19702
New Castle offers affordable housing that costs 23.1% lower than the national average. The city is also home to numerous green parks and scenic walking trails along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Its quaint atmosphere makes it ideal for retirees. HBCS and Prince Telecom are top employers locally.
Ā»New Castle Homes for Sale: Explore the most affordable places to retire in Delaware.
#3 Laurel
- Median house rent is $1,295 | Rental prices range between $1,295 and $2,000.
- Median home value of Laurel is $295,523.
- Cost of living in Laurel is 4.4% higher than the state average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Laurel, DE: 19720 | 19958 | 19702
Often referred to as the ‘The Steamboat Capital of the World’, Laurel’s average expenses on transportation are 8.7% lower than nationwide. Housing costs in the city are 15.4% lower than the rest of the US. SMW Sales, LLC and L & J Sheet Metal provide employment in the manufacturing sector.
Ā»Laurel Homes for Sale: Browse affordable homes in Delaware.
#4 Seaford
- Median house rent is $1,695 | Rental prices range between $1,100 and $2,250.
- Median home value of Seaford is $302,703.
- Cost of living in Seaford is 1% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Seaford, DE: 19720 | 19958 | 19702
Seaford offers transportation costs that are 2% below the national average. The city is known for its agricultural heritage and historical connection to the nylon industry. It also offers ample of jobs with the presence of major employers like Allen Family Foods and Harim USA, Ltd.
Ā»Seaford Homes for Sale: Look for affordable houses in Delaware.
#5 Wilmington
- Median house rent is $1,706 | Rental prices range between $650 and $7,000.
- Median home value of Wilmington is $309,840.
- Cost of living in Wilmington is 0.6% higher than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Wilmington, DE: 19720 | 19958 | 19702
With utility costs 8% below the national average, Wilmington stands as one of the most affordable cities to live in Delaware. Housing costs are also 2% lower than nationwide and, with a free home worth estimator you can get a ballpark figure in less than a minute. The Chemours Company and Tate & Lyle are the top employers.
Ā» Wilmington Homes for Sale: Find homes in one of the most affordable places to live in Delaware.
#6 Delmar
- Median house rent is $785 | Rental prices range between $785 and $2,300.
- Median home value of Delmar is $317,145.
- Cost of living in Delmar is 2% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Delmar, DE: 19720 | 19958 | 19702
Delmar is highly affordable, with the median rent between $785-$2,300. You can comfortably live here with an average household income of $55,625 annually. Located on the Delmarva Peninsula, it offers a quaint and family-friendly atmosphere. It is also considered safe, with a crime rate of 48.3 out of 100.
Ā» Delmar Homes for Sale: Find safe and affordable places to live in Delaware.
#7 Dover
- Median house rent is $1,750 | Rental prices range between $505 and $3,400.
- Median home value of Dover is $322,518.
- Cost of living in Dover is 4.3% cheaper than the state average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Dover, DE: 19720 | 19958 | 19702
The monthly expenditure on food for an individual in Dover is around $543, which makes it one of the most affordable places to live in Delaware. Dover is the capital of Delaware, and the second-largest city in the state. It serves as the seat of government and is home to various state institutions, including the legislative and executive branches.
Ā» Dover Homes for Sale: Look for the cheapest places to live in Delaware.
#8 Magnolia
- Median house rent is $2,000 | Rental prices range between $2,000 and $3,600.
- Median home value of Magnolia is $410,956.
- Cost of living in Magnolia is 1.0% cheaper than the national average.
Magnolia boasts transportation costs that are 7.6% lower than the national average, and healthcare 1%. The average home price in this city is 410K. It also offers entertainment and dining options. Additionally, the city is home to Walgreens and Breakthru Beverage Group.
Ā» Magnolia Homes for Sale: Find cheap places to live in Delaware.
#9 Smyrna
- Median house rent is $1,775 | Rental prices range between $695 and $3,000.
- Median home value of Smyrna is $394,015.
- Cost of living in Smyrna is 1.0% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Smyrna, DE: 19720 | 19958 | 19702
The cost of living in Smyrna is 1.0% lower than the national average. The city also has attraction spots such as Lake Como and 3 Palms Zoo & Education Centre. Ballard Spahr is a top law firm that offers local employment, and D.R. Horton offers jobs in construction.
Ā» Smyrna Homes for Sale: Look for affordable homes in Delaware.
#10 Camden
- Median house rent is $2,000 | Rental prices range between $1,200 and $3,995.
- Median home value of Camden is $379,467.
- Cost of living in Camden is 1.0% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Camden, DE: 19720 | 19958 | 19702
Camden’s cost of living is 4.3% lower than the state average, which makes it a cheap place to live in DE. Transportation costs 7.7% lower than the national average as well. Fifer Orchards is a locally-owned farm that offers frequent employment. Camden also boasts a rich cultural atmosphere with museums, numerous art galleries, and a vibrant culinary scene.
Ā» Camden Homes for Sale: Find cheap homes in Delaware.
So, Where Is the Cheapest Place to Live in Delaware?
If you want to move to Delaware, you will find cheap houses for sale in Delaware under 200K in cities like Harrington, Delmar, and Dover. They also offer stable job opportunities, and a low cost of living which is more affordable than other Delaware cities.
Cities like New Castle and Laurel are slightly expensive but provide better job opportunities. You must research the home prices and living costs. Also, getting a mortgage pre-approval helps you stand out in the competition before buying a house in Delaware.
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Ā» Need More Clarity? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why the platform is the best in Americaās competitive housing market.
Research Methodology
To rank the top cities in Delaware, we analyzed all the regions, evaluating them based on specific criteria. Below is a breakdown of the factors used and the sources of information that informed our rankings.
- Population: World Population Review [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow [2]
- Median Rent: Zillow [3]
- Cost of Living: Rent Cafe [4]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the least expensive place to live in Delaware?
The cheapest place to live in Delaware is Harrington. It offers affordable transportation, which is 10.8% lower than the national average.
Ā» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Delaware: Find out the other cheapest places to live in Delaware.
Is Delaware cheap to live?
No, it is not. The median home value is $387,158. If you're looking for cities with affordable housing and a low cost of living, you can try your luck in some of these cheapest places in America.
Where is the best place to live in Delaware?
TheĀ best place to live in DelawareĀ is Wilmington, followed by Dover, Milford, Newark, Bear, Smyrna, and Middletown.
Which Delaware city has the lowest cost of living?
Harrington has the lowest cost of living, which is 1.0% and 4.3% lower than the national and state average, respectively.
