Quick answer
Delaware can be a good place to live in 2027 if its numbers fit your life: the app's top-scoring places have a median home value of $280,200, rent of $1,567/month and household income of $71,373, and the state's violent crime rate (352 per 100k, 2025) is above the median state. Start your research with Middletown, Bear, Newark.
Median home value
$280,200
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,567/mo
Household income
$71,373
Violent crime / 100k
352
Delaware, 2025
Population change
+1.1%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+9.8%
State wage income tax
Yes
Home value ÷ income
3.9×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middletown, DE | 88 | $399,500 | $1,567 | $115,252 | +2.1% |
| Bear, DE | 50 | $280,200 | $1,676 | $88,985 | -2.0% |
| Newark, DE | 50 | $357,600 | $1,611 | $71,373 | -1.1% |
| Wilmington, DE | 38 | $224,500 | $1,187 | $55,269 | +0.1% |
| Dover, DE | 25 | $248,500 | $1,252 | $58,336 | +1.6% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Castle County | 80 | $329,800 | $1,379 | $89,901 | +0.4% |
| Sussex County | 50 | $353,300 | $1,221 | $78,162 | +3.0% |
| Kent County | 20 | $290,600 | $1,285 | $72,872 | +1.4% |
Verdict factors to check before you decide
- 1Price the whole address: taxes, insurance, utilities and HOA, not just the listing.
- 2Confirm the exact city, county and school assignment for the address.
- 3Drive the commute at the hours you will actually travel.
- 4Check flood, heat and storm exposure on official maps.
- 5Compare crime at the jurisdiction level, then visit at night.
Frequently asked questions
Is Delaware a Good Place to Live in 2027?
Delaware can be a good place to live in 2027 if its numbers fit your life: the app's top-scoring places have a median home value of $280,200, rent of $1,567/month and household income of $71,373, and the state's violent crime rate (352 per 100k, 2025) is above the median state. Start your research with Middletown, Bear, Newark.
What are the best places to live in Delaware?
In the Smart Movers Club app, the top-scoring Delaware cities are Middletown, Bear, Newark, Wilmington, Dover, and the top counties are New Castle County, Sussex County, Kent County. Scores combine income, housing, growth, employment and education.
Does Delaware have a state income tax?
Yes, Delaware taxes wage income. Check the state revenue department for current rates and compare property and sales taxes too.
Where does this data come from?
Figures come from the Smart Movers Club app, which compiles U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates and FBI state crime rates. Census figures are survey estimates, not live listing prices.
