Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Median home value
1990–2024Census / Zillow ZHVI, nominal dollars.
Home Prices
Home prices in Delaware have risen steadily, with a statewide median sale price near $382,000 in 2024. Wilmington and coastal Sussex County lead price appreciation.
FHFA House Price Index
1975–2025FHFA all-transactions index, annual average of quarters. Source: FHFA via FRED (DESTHPI).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median home price ($k) | 382 | 360 |
- •Delaware's effective property tax rate of 0.58% is among the lowest in the nation.
Median Home Value
Delaware's median home value reached $382,000 in 2023/2024, reflecting steady demand near the Mid-Atlantic corridor. Coastal and Wilmington-area markets push prices above the state average.
Median value of owner-occupied homes
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25077 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value ($k) | 382 | 360 |
- •Delaware has no sales tax, which draws shoppers and boosts local retail-adjacent housing demand.
- •Sussex County beach towns post some of the state's highest home values.
Rent Prices
The median gross rent in Delaware is about $1,435 per month, slightly below many Northeast neighbors but rising amid population growth. Wilmington and Newark see the tightest rental markets.
Rent of primary residence index (Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington)
2006–2025BLS CPI-U, Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, annual average (CUURS12BSEHA).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent ($) | 1435 | 1380 |
- •Newark, home to the University of Delaware, has some of the state's tightest rental vacancy rates.
Housing Inventory
Delaware has roughly 450,000 total housing units, a modest but steadily growing stock concentrated in New Castle County. Inventory remains constrained relative to demand from Philadelphia-area movers.
Total housing units
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25001 (2020 not released).
Vacant housing units
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25002 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Total housing units (k) | 450 | 410 |
- •New Castle County holds more than half of Delaware's total housing stock.
Building Permits
Delaware issued roughly 5,200 new residential building permits in 2023, concentrated in Sussex County's growing coastal communities. Permitting activity reflects continued in-migration to the state.
New private housing units authorized
1988–2025Census Building Permits Survey, sum of 12 months (FRED DEBPPRIV).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 5200 | 8500 |
- •Sussex County alone accounts for a large share of Delaware's new-home permitting due to beach-town growth.
Homeownership Rate
Delaware's homeownership rate stands at 71.8%, well above the national average, reflecting a mix of suburban and small-town housing stock. Kent and Sussex counties post the highest ownership shares.
Homeownership rate (CPS/HVS)
1984–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED DEHOWN).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Homeownership rate (%) | 71.8 | 65.6 |
- •Delaware's homeownership rate ranks among the highest in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Housing Affordability
Delaware's home value-to-income ratio sits near 4.6, based on a $382,000 median home value and $82,855 median household income. Affordability pressures are more acute in Sussex County's beach markets.
Housing price level vs U.S. (RPP rents)
2008–2024BEA Regional Price Parities, housing services (SARPP line 3).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Housing price level vs U.S. (RPP rents)2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 102 | 100 |
| Home value to income ratio | 4.6 | 4.7 |
- •Delaware's lack of a sales tax slightly offsets its housing costs for residents.
Vacancy Rate
Delaware's residential vacancy rate is estimated near 8.5%, higher than many neighboring states due to seasonal beach properties in Sussex County that sit vacant part of the year.
Rental vacancy rate
1986–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED DERVAC).
Homeowner vacancy rate
1986–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED DEHVAC).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Vacancy rate (%) | 8.5 | 10.5 |
- •Many vacant units in Sussex County are seasonal beach homes rather than long-term vacancies.