Cost of Living in Clayton, DE

Population 4,086 · Delaware · Data vintage 2023

113
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Clayton is a smaller Delaware community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $103,211 and housing costs ($344,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 0.9% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Clayton is about 50 miles east of Baltimore, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 57% higher than Baltimore's $219,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 113
Rent 113

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

About the Cost of Living in Clayton

The median home value in Clayton is $343,700 — 13% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,484/month, 13% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $103,211/year is 38% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.9%, below 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, Clayton has a cost of living index of 113 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$343,700
13% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$280,734
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,484/mo
13% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.3x
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 86.1%
Renter-occupied 13.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,484
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,098/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
36.9 min
37% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
69.1%
Carpooled
22.2%
Public transit
0.7%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
8.0%

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
$103,211
38% above avg
Per Capita Income
$31,577
Unemployment Rate
0.9%
82% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Labor Force Participation
68.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.4%
Graduate degree 10.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.5
Male median age 28.5
Female median age 38.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good
62.1%
Good air days/yr
207
Max AQI recorded
210
PM2.5 days
138
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

77%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18:1
Student-teacher ratio
2
Public schools
1,155
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Clayton, DE?

Clayton has a cost index of 113 (100 = national average). It is 13% above the national average.

What is average rent in Clayton, DE?

The median gross rent in Clayton is $1,484 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Clayton?

The median home value in Clayton is $343,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Clayton?

The median household income in Clayton is $103,211 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Clayton, DE?

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

Is Clayton, DE affordable?

Clayton is above average in cost of living, with an index of 113 — about 13% higher than the national average.

Clayton at a Glance

Population
4,086
Median Income
$103,211
Home Value
$343,700
Median Rent
$1,484/mo
Unemployment
0.9%
Sales Tax
0.0%
View all cities in Delaware →
🗺️ County data for Delaware

Explore county-level cost of living data

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