salaryWilmington is the largest city in Delaware that we track, with 71,727 residents. Rent is higher than in 52% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.7 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $67,720 a year. That is $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Delaware cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Delaware. It is number 11 of 20 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Wilmington?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Wilmington
| Size | Wilmington | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,205 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,109 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,275 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,558 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,466 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Wilmington overall?
Everyday prices in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metro area are 3% above the U.S. average (index 102.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Wilmington
Life in Wilmington
What jobs pay in Wilmington
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $170,660 | 11.9% |
| Pharmacist | $148,740 | 13.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,700 | 15.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $135,640 | 15.0% |
| Software Developer | $133,040 | 15.3% |
| Operations Manager | $121,630 | 16.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $105,050 | 19.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $101,180 | 20.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,820 | 20.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $99,410 | 20.4% |
| Police Officer | $89,580 | 22.7% |
| Accountant | $85,990 | 23.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $79,420 | 25.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $78,570 | 25.9% |
| Firefighter | $78,050 | 26.0% |
| Plumber | $74,860 | 27.1% |
| Electrician | $74,590 | 27.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $70,710 | 28.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $64,580 | 31.5% |
| Carpenter | $61,780 | 32.9% |
| Truck Driver | $59,370 | 34.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,070 | 43.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,220 | 44.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,890 | 44.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $43,460 | 46.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,270 | 53.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,570 | 55.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,810 | 58.4% |
| Cashier | $33,050 | 61.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Wilmington?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $87 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $231,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $23,140 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Wilmington, DE?
Renting in Wilmington costs a median of about $1,693 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Delaware median is $1,693.
How much do I need to make to live in Wilmington?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $67,720 a year, or $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Wilmington cheap or expensive?
Wilmington is rated Expensive: rent takes 32.1% of the typical household income of $63,277. It ranks 11th cheapest of 20 Delaware cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Wilmington?
The median homeowner in Wilmington pays $1,864 a year in property taxes, about 0.81% of the median home value.
Is Wilmington more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Wilmington?
The median home value in Wilmington is $231,400, about 3.7 times the typical yearly household income.
71,727 people live in Wilmington. Numbers are typical (middle) values.