Cost of Living in Milton, DE

Population 3,469 · Delaware · Data vintage 2023

117
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Milton a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $377,000. At 7.7%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 80 miles east of Baltimore, Milton is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 72% higher than Baltimore's $219,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 123
Rent 106

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

About the Cost of Living in Milton

The median home value in Milton is $376,600 — 23% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,398/month, 6% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $64,906/year is 13% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.7%, 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, Milton has a cost of living index of 117 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 17% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$376,600
23% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$467,367
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,398/mo
6% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,800/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.4x
Favors renting
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 77.7%
Renter-occupied 22.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,398
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,012/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
25.1 min
7% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
82.5%
Carpooled
5.7%
Walked
0.8%
Bicycle
0.4%
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
$64,906
13% below avg
Per Capita Income
$36,028
Unemployment Rate
7.7%
61% above avg
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Labor Force Participation
41.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.8%
Graduate degree 17.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 48.9
Male median age 48.3
Female median age 52.4

💨 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Milton, DE?

Milton has a cost index of 117 (100 = national average). It is 17% above the national average.

What is average rent in Milton, DE?

The median gross rent in Milton is $1,398 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Milton?

The median home value in Milton is $376,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Milton?

The median household income in Milton is $64,906 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Milton, DE?

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

Is Milton, DE affordable?

Milton is above average in cost of living, with an index of 117 — about 17% higher than the national average.

Milton at a Glance

Population
3,469
Median Income
$64,906
Home Value
$376,600
Median Rent
$1,398/mo
Unemployment
7.7%
Sales Tax
0.0%
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