What is the cost of living in Dover, DE?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Dover has an overall cost of living index of 99, which is 1.0x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Delaware, Dover has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Delaware's index of 105.
The standard of living in Dover ranks as #2 most affordable out of the 19 places we measured in Delaware. By definition, that implies Dover ranks as the #17 most expensive place in the First State.
For more reading on life in Dover, check out:
Dover Cost Of Living Vs. Delaware
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Dover. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Dover is 99.
The Groceries index in Dover is 103.
The Health index in Dover is 106.
The Housing index in Dover is 97.
The Transportation index in Dover is 104.
The Utilities index in Dover is 100.
| Living Expense | Dover | Delaware | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 99 | 105 | 100 |
| Services | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 102 | 100 |
| Health | 106 | 121 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 100 | 103 | 100 |
Dover Cost Of Living Compared To Delaware Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Delaware, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Dover Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Dover, DE Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Delaware, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Dover is $339,650.
The Median Rent in Dover is $1,344.
The Median Income in Dover is $60,199.
The Home Value To Income in Dover is 5.6x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Dover is 0.27x.
Dover, DE Costs By Category
Detailed Dover Services costs vs. Delaware
Detailed Dover Groceries costs vs. Delaware
Detailed Dover Health costs vs. Delaware
Detailed Dover Transportation costs vs. Delaware
Dover SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Dover
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Dover. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Smyrna, DE has a cost of living index of 105, 1.1x Dover.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Dover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smyrna, DE | 13,165 | 105 | 1.1x |
