Cost of Living in Delaware, OH

Population 43,168 · Ohio · Data vintage 2023

92
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Delaware lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $279,000 — 8% below the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in Ohio. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.9% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Delaware sits roughly 20 miles north of Columbus. Median home values run roughly 19% higher than Columbus' $235,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 92
Rent 92

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

About the Cost of Living in Delaware

The median home value in Delaware is $279,400 — 8% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,203/month, 8% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $92,928/year is 25% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.9%, below the national average of 4.8%. Ohio's top state income tax rate is 3.8% and the combined sales tax is 7.2%. The climate averages highs of 62.1°F and lows of 42.6°F. Overall, Delaware has a cost of living index of 92 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$279,400
8% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$402,346
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,203/mo
8% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,591/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$686
1 BR
$748
2 BR
$929
3 BR
$1,199
4 BR
$1,374
Owner-occupied 62.0%
Renter-occupied 38.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,203
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,817/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
27.9 min
3% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.4%
Carpooled
6.8%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
3.0%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
15.7%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 3.8%
Total Sales Tax 7.2%
State rate 5.8%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 1.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$92,928
25% above avg
Per Capita Income
$42,305
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
40% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Labor Force Participation
69.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 27.4%
Graduate degree 18.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.3
Male median age 35.7
Female median age 36.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
62.1°F
Avg Low
42.6°F
Annual Precip
35.8"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 364050637381848377655140
Low °F 212331415160646255433426
Precip" 2.221.942.993.543.854.053.723.053.002.522.362.52

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 41 — Good
86.1%
Good air days/yr
108
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
245
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

93.4%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
11
Public schools
7,958
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Delaware, OH?

Delaware has a cost index of 92 (100 = national average). It is 8% below the national average.

What is average rent in Delaware, OH?

The median gross rent in Delaware is $1,203 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Delaware?

The median home value in Delaware is $279,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Delaware?

The median household income in Delaware is $92,928 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Delaware, OH?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Delaware is 7.2%. The Ohio state income tax top rate is 3.8%.

Is Delaware, OH affordable?

Delaware is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 92 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Delaware?

Delaware has average high temperatures of 62.1°F and average lows of 42.6°F. Annual precipitation is 35.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Delaware at a Glance

Population
43,168
Median Income
$92,928
Home Value
$279,400
Median Rent
$1,203/mo
Unemployment
2.9%
Avg High Temp
62.1°F
Sales Tax
7.2%
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🗺️ County data for Ohio

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