Rent vs Buy Calculator for Wilmington, DE
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Wilmington's price-to-rent ratio is 18.2 — in the neutral zone where the decision depends on your timeline and priorities. Median rent is $1,350/mo vs a $295,000 purchase price.
✓ Calculator below is pre-filled with Wilmington local data
How Wilmington Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Wilmington stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Wilmington, DE | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $295,000 | $420,800 | -29.9% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,350 | $1,713 | -21.2% |
| Median Household Income | $68,800 | $74,580 | -7.8% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.57% | 1.10% | -48.2% |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 100 | +3.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Wilmington Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 740,000
- Unemployment
- 4.4%
- Avg Commute
- 25 min
- Median Age
- 37.2
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 18.2x
- Annual Property Tax
- $1,682
Frequently Asked Questions — Wilmington
What is the median home price in Wilmington, DE?
The median home price in Wilmington is $295,000 as of 2025–2026. This is below the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Wilmington?
Median monthly rent in Wilmington is $1,350. That works out to $16,200/year, or 24% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Wilmington affordable?
Wilmington's cost of living index is 103 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $68,800/year and a median home price of $295,000, the price-to-income ratio is 4.3x. Wilmington falls in the middle of the affordability spectrum for US cities.
What is the property tax rate in Wilmington?
The effective property tax rate in Wilmington is 0.57% of assessed value. On the median home of $295,000, that's roughly $1,682/year ($140/month).