Cost of Living in Brookside, DE

Population 15,262 · Delaware · Data vintage 2023

94
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Brookside is a smaller Delaware community of around 15000 residents, where median household incomes of $72,031 and housing costs ($265,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 6.0%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Brookside is about 40 miles southwest of Philadelphia, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 14% higher than Philadelphia's $232,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 87
Rent 105

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Brookside

The median home value in Brookside is $264,800 — 13% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,381/month, 5% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $72,031/year is 3% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.0%, 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, Brookside has a cost of living index of 94 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$264,800
13% below avg
Median Rent
$1,381/mo
5% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.0x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,173
1 BR
$1,181
2 BR
$1,492
3 BR
$2,080
4 BR
$2,278
Owner-occupied 62.3%
Renter-occupied 37.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,381
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,995/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
26.7 min
1% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.3%
Carpooled
7.0%
Public transit
2.2%
Walked
0.4%
Bicycle
0.6%
Work from home
12.7%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 6.6%
Total Sales Tax 0.0%
State rate 0.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$72,031
3% below avg
Per Capita Income
$36,684
Unemployment Rate
6.0%
25% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.8%
Labor Force Participation
69.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.6%
Graduate degree 10.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.5
Male median age 34.2
Female median age 36.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate
47.4%
Good air days/yr
282
Max AQI recorded
236
PM2.5 days
127
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Brookside, DE?

Brookside has a cost index of 94 (100 = national average). It is 6% below the national average.

What is average rent in Brookside, DE?

The median gross rent in Brookside is $1,381 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Brookside?

The median home value in Brookside is $264,800 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Brookside?

The median household income in Brookside is $72,031 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Brookside, DE?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Brookside is 0.0%. The Delaware state income tax top rate is 6.6%.

Is Brookside, DE affordable?

Brookside is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 94 (100 = US average).

Brookside at a Glance

Population
15,262
Median Income
$72,031
Home Value
$264,800
Median Rent
$1,381/mo
Unemployment
6.0%
Sales Tax
0.0%
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🗺️ County data for Delaware

Explore county-level cost of living data

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