Cost of Living in Bear, DE
Population 22,604 · Delaware · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Bear a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $280,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.1% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Located 40 miles southwest of Philadelphia, Bear falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 21% higher than Philadelphia's $232,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Bear
The median home value in Bear is $280,200 — 8% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,676/month, 28% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $88,985/year is 19% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.1%, above the national average of 4.8%. Delaware's top state income tax rate is 6.6% and the combined sales tax is 0.0%. Overall, Bear has a cost of living index of 106 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Bear, DE?
Bear has a cost index of 106 (100 = national average). It is 6% above the national average.
What is average rent in Bear, DE?
The median gross rent in Bear is $1,676 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Bear?
The median home value in Bear is $280,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Bear?
The median household income in Bear is $88,985 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Bear, DE?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bear is 0.0%. The Delaware state income tax top rate is 6.6%.
Is Bear, DE affordable?
Bear is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 106 (100 = US average).
Bear at a Glance
- Population
- 22,604
- Median Income
- $88,985
- Home Value
- $280,200
- Median Rent
- $1,676/mo
- Unemployment
- 7.1%
- Sales Tax
- 0.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Delaware Rankings
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