Cost of Living in Seaford, DE

Population 8,255 · Delaware · Data vintage 2023

79
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Seaford is a smaller Delaware community of around 8000 residents, where median household incomes of $51,120 and housing costs ($224,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 13.0%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Seaford is about 70 miles southeast of Baltimore, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Baltimore's $219,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 73
Rent 87

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

About the Cost of Living in Seaford

The median home value in Seaford is $223,700 — 27% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,148/month, 13% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,120/year is 31% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 13.0%, 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, Seaford has a cost of living index of 79 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 21% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$223,700
27% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$305,354
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,148/mo
13% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2x
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 49.6%
Renter-occupied 50.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,148
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,762/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
30.3 min
12% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.5%
Carpooled
16.3%
Public transit
0.7%
Walked
2.9%
Work from home
4.3%

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
$51,120
31% below avg
Per Capita Income
$27,851
Unemployment Rate
13.0%
171% above avg
Poverty Rate
18.2%
Labor Force Participation
60.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 10.2%
Graduate degree 7.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.3
Male median age 40.4
Female median age 42.1

💨 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

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
3,465
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Seaford, DE?

Seaford has a cost index of 79 (100 = national average). It is 21% below the national average.

What is average rent in Seaford, DE?

The median gross rent in Seaford is $1,148 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Seaford?

The median home value in Seaford is $223,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Seaford?

The median household income in Seaford is $51,120 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Seaford, DE?

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

Is Seaford, DE affordable?

Yes, Seaford is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 79 — about 21% below the US national average of 100.

Seaford at a Glance

Population
8,255
Median Income
$51,120
Home Value
$223,700
Median Rent
$1,148/mo
Unemployment
13.0%
Sales Tax
0.0%
View all cities in Delaware →
🗺️ County data for Delaware

Explore county-level cost of living data

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