Cost of Living in Lewes, DE
Population 3,415 · Delaware · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Home prices in Lewes run well above the national baseline, with a median of $807,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $92,375 place the city among the better-paid Delaware metros.
Lewes lies roughly 85 miles south of the nearest major metro, Philadelphia — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 247% higher than Philadelphia's $232,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Lewes
The median home value in Lewes is $806,700 — 164% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,271/month, 3% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $92,375/year is 24% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.9%, 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, Lewes has a cost of living index of 197 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 97% more expensive.
Lewes 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:
🏠 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
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Lewes, DE?
Lewes has a cost index of 197 (100 = national average). It is 97% above the national average.
What is average rent in Lewes, DE?
The median gross rent in Lewes is $1,271 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Lewes?
The median home value in Lewes is $806,700 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Lewes?
The median household income in Lewes is $92,375 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Lewes, DE?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Lewes is 0.0%. The Delaware state income tax top rate is 6.6%.
Is Lewes, DE affordable?
Lewes is above average in cost of living, with an index of 197 — about 97% higher than the national average.
Lewes at a Glance
- Population
- 3,415
- Median Income
- $92,375
- Home Value
- $806,700
- Median Rent
- $1,271/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.9%
- Sales Tax
- 0.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Delaware Rankings
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