State overview · DE
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Delaware? Real data for 1 city, updated June 2026.
| City | Salary needed | Housing / mo | Median salary | Salary gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $100,923 | $1,810 | $54,310 | $46,613 |
Cost of Living in Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware's only tracked city, requires an annual income of $100,923 to cover typical living expenses. That figure runs above the national median of $93,992, meaning residents face higher costs than most Americans. The challenge sharpens when you look at local wages: the median salary in Wilmington sits at $54,310, leaving a gap of $46,613 between what residents typically earn and what a comfortable life actually costs. Someone earning that local median would need to nearly double their income to close the difference. These figures reflect Wilmington alone and should not be read as representative of Delaware statewide.
CityWage currently tracks one city in Delaware, Wilmington, and the table below breaks down its full cost profile. The monthly housing cost there runs $1,810.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cost of living in Wilmington, DE?
You need about $100,923 per year to live comfortably in Wilmington, based on the 50/30/20 budget rule applied to BLS and HUD data.
Does the median salary in Wilmington cover the cost of living?
Not on its own. The median local salary of $54,310 falls about $46,613 short of the $100,923 needed to live comfortably.
Is Wilmington above or below the national average?
Wilmington runs above the national median. It needs $100,923 per year versus the national figure of $93,992.