7 Best Places to Live in Delaware in 2025

Smyrna and Milford are among the best places to live in Delaware in 2025. Additionally, the Diamond State has zero sales tax, and property taxes that average just 0.56%—that’s one of the lowest nationwide! Moreover, home sales jumped 23.8% YoY as demand soars.

Delaware ranks 4th in fiscal stability, which makes it ideal for retirees as it eliminates the risk of sudden tax hikes. This strong financial management attracts young professionals too! Additionally, families thrive in districts like Appoquinimink, where graduation rates hit 94%.

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7 Best Places to Live in Delaware

Here’s our ranking of the best Delaware cities to live in. We’ve considered the community well-being score, median home price, monthly income, and the cost of living of the cities.

1. Milford

• Median House Price: $312k
• Cost of Living: 10.6% ⬆️ than the national average.
• Crime Score: Safer than 3% of U.S. cities.
• Unemployment: 6.1%
• Walkability Score: 29; Car-dependent city.

Milford is a growing community that’s perfect for families. Local schools are on the rise, with Milford High ranked in the top 45% statewide. You will also benefit from nearby care at Nemours for kids and Bayhealth Sussex for everything from ER visits to women’s health.

Kickstart your Saturday at Dolce Bakery with cinnamon rolls that taste like pure joy in pastry form! In evenings, let the kids run wild at Tony’s Bike Trail or spot eagles at Abbott’s Mill Nature Center. Also, don’t miss the annual Bug & Bud Festival—yes, there’s literal bug races!

2. Smyrna

• Median House Price: $298K
• Cost of Living: 11.2% ⬆️ than the national average.
• Crime Score: Safer than 11% of U.S. cities.
• Unemployment: 6.1%
• Walkability Score: 77; Very walkable.

Smyrna is one of the best places to live in Delaware with a median home price of $381,013. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,175. Also, the cost of housing in the city is 4% lower than the national average.

The job market in Smyrna is growing on a positive trajectory. The city is home to big national employers like Bayhealth, Weld Racing, and Bright Farms. This growing economy makes Smyrna ideal for young professionals seeking diverse career opportunities.

3. Newark

• Median House Price: $357K
• Cost of Living: 12.3% ⬆️ than the national average.
• Crime Score: Safer than 7% of U.S. cities.
• Unemployment: 7%
• Walkability Score: 83; Very walkable.

Welcome to Newark—Delaware’s smartest city! Home to over 24,000 students at the University of Delaware, it’s a town wired for energy! The $1.5 billion STAR Campus fuels Newark’s biotech boom with cutting-edge labs, bold startups, and real career traction.

Grab morning fuel at Brew HaHa! before settling in at co-working spots like The Hub@UD. After work, you can wind down on the Judge Morris Trail or catch trivia night at Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen. If you’re a young professional, Newark is perfect for building both your network and your social life.

4. Middletown

• Median House Price: $438K
• Cost of Living: 11.7% ⬆️ than the national average.
• Crime Score: Safer than 9% of U.S. cities.
• Unemployment: 7.20%
• Walkability Score: 75; Very walkable.

Better than 85% of all Delaware school districts, Middletown offers top-tier education for your kids. The city also boasts a strong job market, with an average household income of $104,662—that’s 39.27% higher than the national household!

Middletown boasts excellent connectivity, with New Castle Airport and Philadelphia Airport just 20 to 50 miles away from the city center. This makes travel convenient for families, whether for vacations or visiting loved ones.

5. Dover

• Median House Price: $280K
• Cost of Living: 11.1% ⬆️ than the national average.
• Crime Score: Safer than 2% of U.S. cities.
• Unemployment: 8.7%
• Walkability Score: 65; Somewhat walkable.

Affordable, peaceful, and well-connected—Dover is a gem for anyone seeking a balanced lifestyle. With tax-friendly living, it’s no wonder so many are choosing to call it home. Plus, Bayhealth Medical Center offers top-tier care, making it especially appealing for retirees.

Start your mornings at La Baguette Bakery with fresh croissants. Later, you can explore the Air Mobility Command Museum, where you’ll find interactive exhibits and impressive aircraft displays. On Sundays, take a relaxing stroll around Silver Lake Park, or browse Spence’s Bazaar for Amish jams.

6. Bear

• Median House Price: $342K
• Cost of Living: 12.2% ⬆️ than the national average.
• Crime Score: Safer than 26% of U.S. cities.
• Unemployment: 7.7%
• Walkability Score: 5; Car-dependent city.

With access to top districts like Appoquinimink and Colonial, Bear is a popular choice for families. It offers more space, safe neighborhoods, and a true suburban feel—where your kids can ride scooters and you trade weekend stories over a backyard grill with the neighbors.

Kick off your Saturday at Bear Diner with blueberry pancakes stacked like skyscrapers. You can let the kids conquer the Castle Playground at Lums Pond or burn energy at Sky Zone Trampoline Park. Finally, pick up Sicilian pies at Café Napoli and call it a day!

7. Wilmington

• Median House Price: $245K
• Cost of Living: 12.4% ⬆️ than the national average.
• Crime Score: Safer than 1% of U.S. cities.
• Unemployment: 8.6%
• Walkability Score: 94; Walker’s paradise

They don’t call Wilmington the “Corporate Capital of America” for nothing! The city saw a 2.7% job growth last year, with top industries in healthcare and finance. Even better, career projections here are sky-high, with a 28.8% growth expected in the next decade!

After work, head straight to Trolley Square, the city’s unofficial hangout hub. Sip craft brews at Catherine Rooney’s or grab spicy shrimp tacos from El Diablo Burritos. Craving culture? Catch a live indie set, a comedy night, or an open-mic poetry slam at The Queen.

Best Places to Live in Delaware Based on Demographics

We have researched the best places to live in Delaware for single families, young professionals, and retirees. The cities are ranked on parameters like education, employment opportunities, and healthcare facilities.

Is Delaware a Good Place to Live?

Delaware is one of the best places to live in the US due to its thriving job market and low cost of living. The state enjoys a 3.5% unemployment rate and no sales tax, making it an attractive option for job seekers and homebuyers alike.

Whether you’re drawn to the riverfront views of Wilmington or the suburban calm of Middletown, Delaware offers diverse lifestyles. Explore listings, compare prices, and make offers online with just a few clicks on Houzeo, Delaware’s best home buying website.

Research Methodology

This study ranks cities using a weighted average scoring model based on eight parameters. We’ve linked the resources used in our study of the best areas to live in Delaware:

• Zillow^[1]: Average Rent, Median House Price
• Zipatlas^[2]: Median Income, Unemployment Rate
• Salary^[3]: Cost of Living
• Areavibes^[4]: Livability Score, Safety Score
• Bestplaces^[5]: Average Commute
• Statisticalatlas^[6]: Major Employers
• Walkscore^[7]: Walkability Score

The total score for each city combines a weighted score for its rank. Here’s the weightage: median house price (1.25), median income (1.25), unemployment rate (1.00), cost of living (1.00), livability score (0.50).

Additionally, we have listed the good places to live in Delaware for varying demographics. These include the best cities in Delaware to live for families, young adults, and retirees.

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