salaryDover is the 2nd-largest city in Delaware that we track, with 39,837 residents. Rent is lower than in 54% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.0 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $62,560 a year. That is $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Delaware cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Delaware. It is number 7 of 20 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Dover?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Dover
| Size | Dover | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $582 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,234 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,329 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,749 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,841 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Dover overall?
Everyday prices in the Dover metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 97.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Dover
Life in Dover
What jobs pay in Dover
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $151,930 | 12.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $129,190 | 14.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,930 | 15.3% |
| Operations Manager | $119,990 | 15.6% |
| Software Developer | $107,530 | 17.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,270 | 18.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $99,640 | 18.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,730 | 19.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $91,620 | 20.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $75,080 | 25.0% |
| Accountant | $72,730 | 25.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,520 | 28.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,140 | 30.2% |
| Electrician | $60,750 | 30.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,810 | 31.4% |
| Plumber | $58,410 | 32.1% |
| Truck Driver | $54,150 | 34.7% |
| Carpenter | $52,140 | 36.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,120 | 44.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $41,000 | 45.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,600 | 47.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $36,180 | 51.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,030 | 52.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,570 | 52.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,060 | 55.1% |
| Cashier | $31,720 | 59.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Dover?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $232 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $258,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $25,890 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Dover, DE?
Renting in Dover costs a median of about $1,564 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Delaware median is $1,693.
How much do I need to make to live in Dover?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $62,560 a year, or $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Dover cheap or expensive?
Dover is rated OK: rent takes 28.9% of the typical household income of $64,925. It ranks 7th cheapest of 20 Delaware cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Dover?
The median homeowner in Dover pays $1,470 a year in property taxes, about 0.57% of the median home value.
Is Dover more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Dover?
The median home value in Dover is $258,900, about 4.0 times the typical yearly household income.
39,837 people live in Dover. Numbers are typical (middle) values.