Cost of Living in Elsmere, DE

Population 6,189 · Delaware · Data vintage 2023

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Elsmere stay well under national norms: a median home value of $210,000 against median household incomes of $76,378 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Delaware.

Located 30 miles southwest of Philadelphia, Elsmere falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 10% lower than Philadelphia's $232,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 69

Rent 99

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

About the Cost of Living in Elsmere

The median home value in Elsmere is $210,200 — 31% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,305/month, 1% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $76,378/year is 2% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.4%, 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, Elsmere has a cost of living index of 81 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 19% less expensive.

📍

Elsmere has limited residential data

Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:

Wilmington, DE

Median home: $224,500

Rent: $1,187/mo

Income: $55,269

Pike Creek Valley, DE

Median home: $299,500

Rent: $1,602/mo

Income: $93,896

Hockessin, DE

Median home: $550,200

Rent: $2,980/mo

Income: $172,695

Brookside, DE

Median home: $264,800

Rent: $1,381/mo

Income: $72,031

Bear, DE

Median home: $280,200

Rent: $1,676/mo

Income: $88,985

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$210,200

31% below avg

Zillow Home Value

$520,061

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,305/mo

1% below avg

Price-to-Rent Ratio

13.4x

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 65.5%

Renter-occupied 34.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,305

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $1,919/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

28.3 min

5% above avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

10.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

79.7%

Carpooled

3.7%

Public transit

3.4%

Walked

0.7%

Work from home

10.6%

⚡ 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

$76,378

2% above avg

Per Capita Income

$31,972

Unemployment Rate

5.4%

12% above avg

Poverty Rate

18.8%

Labor Force Participation

65.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.1%

Graduate degree 3.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.6

Male median age 34

Female median age 33.3

💨 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 Elsmere, DE?

Elsmere has a cost index of 81 (100 = national average). It is 19% below the national average.

What is average rent in Elsmere, DE?

The median gross rent in Elsmere is $1,305 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Elsmere?

The median home value in Elsmere is $210,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Elsmere?

The median household income in Elsmere is $76,378 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Elsmere, DE?

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

Is Elsmere, DE affordable?

Yes, Elsmere is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 81 — about 19% below the US national average of 100.

Elsmere at a Glance

Population: 6,189
Median Income: $76,378
Home Value: $210,200
Median Rent: $1,305/mo
Unemployment: 5.4%
Sales Tax: 0.0%

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