What is the average income in Delaware?

The median household income in Delaware is approximately $75,340 (2024), slightly below the national median. Wilmington (New Castle County) has a higher median near $80,000 driven by the financial and corporate sector, while Sussex County (beach area) is lower.

Does Delaware have sales tax?

No. Delaware is one of 5 states with no state sales tax, making it a popular shopping destination. This saves residents roughly $1,000-$2,500 per year compared to states with 6-10% sales tax. However, Delaware does have a graduated income tax up to 6.6%.

Living in Delaware: Income, Housing, Taxes & Cost of Living (2026)

Delaware at a Glance

Metric	Value	National Rank
Population (2024)	1.02 million	45th
Median household income	$75,340	22nd
Median home price	$360,000	Above average
Cost of living index	108	Slightly above average
State income tax	2.2-6.6%	Above average
Sales tax	0%	Only 5 states at 0%
Property tax (effective rate)	0.57%	10th lowest

Income and Housing

Area	Median Household Income	Median Home Price	Median Rent (2BR)
Wilmington/New Castle County	$80,200	$340,000	$1,450
Dover/Kent County	$62,400	$285,000	$1,200
Rehoboth/Sussex County	$64,800	$410,000	$1,500
State Average	$75,340	$360,000	$1,350

Taxes in Delaware

Tax Type	Rate
Income tax	2.2% to 6.6% (graduated)
Sales tax	0%
Property tax (avg effective)	0.57%
Social Security tax	No state tax on SS
$65+ pension/retirement exclusion	Up to $12,500 excluded

Total Tax Burden

Gross Income	Federal	DE Income Tax	FICA	Property ($360K)	Total Rate
$75,000	$8,115	$3,480	$5,738	$2,052	25.8%
$100,000	$13,615	$5,130	$7,650	$2,052	28.4%

Delaware Pros and Cons

Financial Pros	Financial Cons
No sales tax (save $1,000-$2,500/year)	Above-average income tax (6.6% top rate)
Low property taxes (0.57%)	Limited job market (small state)
Corporate-friendly (many HQs)	Housing costs rising in beach areas
No tax on Social Security	Higher car insurance rates
Close to Philadelphia, DC, and NYC	Small-state limitations