Cost of Living in Milford, DE

Population 12,193 · Delaware · Data vintage 2023

90
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Milford is a smaller Delaware community of around 12000 residents, where median household incomes of $55,265 and housing costs ($275,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Around 20% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Geographically, Milford is about 70 miles east of Baltimore, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 25% higher than Baltimore's $219,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 90
Rent 90

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

About the Cost of Living in Milford

The median home value in Milford is $274,600 — 10% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,182/month, 10% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $55,265/year is 26% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.6%, 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, Milford has a cost of living index of 90 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$274,600
10% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$336,942
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,182/mo
10% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4x
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 46.5%
Renter-occupied 53.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,182
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,796/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
26.0 min
4% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.1%
Carpooled
9.0%
Public transit
1.3%
Walked
2.3%
Work from home
8.6%

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
$55,265
26% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,066
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
17% above avg
Poverty Rate
20.3%
Labor Force Participation
57.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.8%
Graduate degree 10.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.4
Male median age 37.8
Female median age 46

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 47 — Good
58.9%
Good air days/yr
203
Max AQI recorded
225
PM2.5 days
140
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

88%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
4,244
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Milford, DE?

Milford has a cost index of 90 (100 = national average). It is 10% below the national average.

What is average rent in Milford, DE?

The median gross rent in Milford is $1,182 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Milford?

The median home value in Milford is $274,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Milford?

The median household income in Milford is $55,265 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Milford, DE?

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

Is Milford, DE affordable?

Milford is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 90 (100 = US average).