Cost of Living in New Castle, DE

Population 5,519 · Delaware · Data vintage 2023

103
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

New Castle is a smaller Delaware community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $92,565 and housing costs ($262,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.1% — below most comparable cities in the state.

New Castle is about 35 miles southwest of Philadelphia, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 13% higher than Philadelphia's $232,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 86
Rent 127

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

About the Cost of Living in New Castle

The median home value in New Castle is $262,100 — 14% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,675/month, 27% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $92,565/year is 24% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.1%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 64.8°F and lows of 46.3°F, with about 20.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, New Castle has a cost of living index of 103 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 3% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$262,100
14% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$277,229
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,675/mo
27% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,706/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.0x
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 63.5%
Renter-occupied 36.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,675
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,289/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
24.3 min
10% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
18.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.8%
Carpooled
6.3%
Public transit
2.2%
Walked
1.0%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
18.5%

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
$92,565
24% above avg
Per Capita Income
$51,328
Unemployment Rate
1.1%
77% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.4%
Labor Force Participation
66.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.3%
Graduate degree 18.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 46.4
Male median age 43.9
Female median age 47.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
64.8°F
Avg Low
46.3°F
Annual Precip
45.3"
Annual Snowfall
20.2"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 414453647482878579675646
Low °F 262734445363686759473730
Precip" 3.232.834.163.513.574.674.413.984.383.683.063.85
Snow" 6.17.83.10.10.00.00.00.00.00.00.22.9

💨 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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

84%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
15
Public schools
9,921
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in New Castle, DE?

New Castle has a cost index of 103 (100 = national average). It is 3% above the national average.

What is average rent in New Castle, DE?

The median gross rent in New Castle is $1,675 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in New Castle?

The median home value in New Castle is $262,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in New Castle?

The median household income in New Castle is $92,565 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in New Castle, DE?

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

Is New Castle, DE affordable?

New Castle is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 103 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in New Castle?

New Castle has average high temperatures of 64.8°F and average lows of 46.3°F. Annual precipitation is 45.3". Average annual snowfall is 20.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

New Castle at a Glance

Population
5,519
Median Income
$92,565
Home Value
$262,100
Median Rent
$1,675/mo
Unemployment
1.1%
Avg High Temp
64.8°F
Sales Tax
0.0%
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