
South Bethany is a small, quiet coastal town near the Atlantic Ocean. Many homes sit along canals with private docks and direct water access. It attracts high-end buyers, especially boaters, looking for waterfront living and exclusivity. The town stays calmer than most beach destinations, even in peak summer. However, storm risk and flood insurance add major ownership costs. With scarce beachfront lots and steady demand, prices remain around $1,500,000, reinforcing its position as one of Delaware's most expensive coastal markets.
South Bethany is a small, quiet coastal town near the Atlantic Ocean. Many homes sit along canals with private docks and direct water access. It attracts high-end buyers, especially boaters, looking for waterfront living and exclu...
Personal Safety : 100
Property Safety : 95
Community Safety : 84
Median Home Price
$1,500,000
Median Home Rent
$1,800

Dewey Beach sits between the Atlantic Ocean and Rehoboth Bay. Buyers get water on both sides, which drives up demand. Bars, restaurants, and beach access make it popular with younger buyers. Many owners rent their homes out in summer to cover costs. However, noise and crowds are a problem for people who live here full time. Investors still buy here because rental income tends to be strong.
Dewey Beach sits between the Atlantic Ocean and Rehoboth Bay. Buyers get water on both sides, which drives up demand. Bars, restaurants, and beach access make it popular with younger buyers. Many owners rent their homes out in sum...
Personal Safety : 60
Property Safety : 48
Community Safety : 20
Median Home Price
$1,499,950
Median Home Rent
$2,333

Fenwick Island sits at Delaware's southern tip, near the Maryland border. It is a high-value coastal market with waterfront homes and direct beach access. Buyers are drawn to boating, fishing, and its quieter atmosphere compared to northern beach towns. Investors also target the area for strong summer rental income. However, storm risk and rising insurance costs add to long-term expenses. With a small footprint and limited listings, Fenwick Island remains one of Delaware's most exclusive and expensive coastal markets.
Fenwick Island sits at Delaware's southern tip, near the Maryland border. It is a high-value coastal market with waterfront homes and direct beach access. Buyers are drawn to boating, fishing, and its quieter atmosphere compared t...
Personal Safety : 60
Property Safety : 73
Community Safety : 33
Median Home Price
$1,399,000
Median Home Rent
$1,438

Bethany Beach has the highest home prices in Delaware. Most homes here sit near the ocean, and there are very few lots left to build on. Buyers come here because the beach is quieter than other nearby towns. The boardwalk and local restaurants also draw people with money to spend. Flood insurance adds a real cost on top of the purchase price. Still, prices stay over $1,000,000 because demand is high and supply is low.
Bethany Beach has the highest home prices in Delaware. Most homes here sit near the ocean, and there are very few lots left to build on. Buyers come here because the beach is quieter than other nearby towns. The boardwalk and loca...
Personal Safety : 40
Property Safety : 66
Community Safety : 20
Median Home Price
$1,025,245
Median Home Rent
$2,847

Greenville is one of the richest towns in Delaware. Most homes here are large, and many sit on wooded lots. People move here to be close to Wilmington jobs while living outside the city. Private schools and country clubs are common in this area. Upkeep on big homes adds to the cost of living here. Median prices reach $1,100,000, reflecting old money and steady demand.
Greenville is one of the richest towns in Delaware. Most homes here are large, and many sit on wooded lots. People move here to be close to Wilmington jobs while living outside the city. Private schools and country clubs are commo...
Personal Safety : 68
Property Safety : 58
Community Safety : 17
$1,100,000
Median Home Rent
$1,585

Rehoboth Beach is one of Delaware's most sought-after coastal communities. Its iconic boardwalk, vibrant shopping districts, and popular dining scene attract buyers from across the East Coast. Strong demand from retirees, second-home purchasers, and remote workers continues to push home values higher, particularly near the beach and downtown area. Limited inventory and year-round appeal help sustain premium property values. Rehoboth Beach remains one of Delaware's highest-priced housing markets.
Rehoboth Beach is one of Delaware's most sought-after coastal communities. Its iconic boardwalk, vibrant shopping districts, and popular dining scene attract buyers from across the East Coast. Strong demand from retirees, second-h...
Personal Safety : 66
Property Safety : 20
Community Safety : 5
Median Home Price
$669,450
Median Home Rent
$2,500

Rate Lewes
4.0/5
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Job Market
100%
Commute
100%
Good Schools
100%
Affordability
100%
Public Transit
100%
Future Growth
100%
Lewes has become one of Delaware's more expensive coastal communities, driven by strong demand for waterfront properties and upscale golf course neighborhoods. Buyers are drawn to its historic charm, scenic beaches, and relaxed lifestyle, which continue to support rising home values. Luxury homes near the water command premium prices, while limited inventory keeps competition high. Although it offers a quieter atmosphere than nearby Rehoboth Beach, Lewes remains a sought-after destination for retirees, second-home buyers, and affluent households. Home prices are well above the national median, reflecting the town's growing appeal and strong real estate market.
Lewes has become one of Delaware's more expensive coastal communities, driven by strong demand for waterfront properties and upscale golf course neighborhoods. Buyers are drawn to its historic charm, scenic beaches, and relaxed li...
Personal Safety : 78
Property Safety : 82
Community Safety : 42
$606,395
Median Home Rent
$2,200

Rate Hockessin
4.0/5
1 Review
Job Market
100%
Commute
100%
Good Schools
100%
Affordability
100%
Public Transit
100%
Future Growth
100%
Hockessin is a suburb outside Wilmington with large homes and good schools. Families move here for more space and a quieter pace of life. Parks and golf courses are nearby. Many buyers also like that Wilmington is close enough for an easy commute. Bigger homes mean higher bills for heating, cooling, and upkeep. Median household income here is $171,204, the highest on this list.
Hockessin is a suburb outside Wilmington with large homes and good schools. Families move here for more space and a quieter pace of life. Parks and golf courses are nearby. Many buyers also like that Wilmington is close enough for...
Personal Safety : 78
Property Safety : 76
Community Safety : 71
$615,000
Median Home Rent
$2,900

North Star is an affluent suburb near Wilmington known for its newer homes and spacious residential neighborhoods. Families are drawn to the area for its strong schools, larger properties, and quieter suburban setting. Parks, trails, and easy access to Wilmington's job market add to its appeal. Rising demand and limited inventory continue pushing home prices higher, with median values around $560,000.
North Star is an affluent suburb near Wilmington known for its newer homes and spacious residential neighborhoods. Families are drawn to the area for its strong schools, larger properties, and quieter suburban setting. Parks, trai...
Personal Safety : 79
Property Safety : 66
Community Safety : 65
$560,000
Median Home Rent
$1,457

Pike Creek is a suburb close to Wilmington with newer homes and gated communities. Many buyers here work in Wilmington and want a short drive to the office. Shopping centers and clinics are nearby, which makes daily life easy. Prices at $420,000 are lower than most other places on this list. However, fewer homes are available now than a few years ago. Rising demand has made the market more competitive.
Pike Creek is a suburb close to Wilmington with newer homes and gated communities. Many buyers here work in Wilmington and want a short drive to the office. Shopping centers and clinics are nearby, which makes daily life easy. Pri...
Personal Safety : 55
Property Safety : 55
Community Safety : 21
$420,000
Median Home Rent
$2,500
Transparent & data-driven
Each city is scored across five weighted categories using daily MLS data and verified government stats. Every metric is benchmarked against both its state average and the national average — dual benchmarking — so a market isn’t judged expensive just for sitting in a high-cost state.
Sale price, price per sq ft & high-value concentration vs. state and national benchmarks.
Median rent, rent-to-income ratio & rental demand vs. state and national medians.
The gap between median household income and the cost of living for the area.
Turnover, scarcity, days on market & buyer competition from Houzeo’s live MLS feed.
Utilities, transportation & everyday goods vs. state and national averages — the tiebreaker.
MLS metrics update daily; government data is added on each agency’s release schedule.
High home prices are only part of the equation in Delaware's priciest markets. Groceries, utilities, and insurance all run above the national average. Coastal homeowner's insurance alone can add thousands to your annual budget. Here is what to expect across five of Delaware's most expensive cities.
| City | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Cost of Living | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethany Beach | $3,000,000 | $2,847 | 1/10 | |
| South Bethany | $2,080,000 | $1,800 | 2/10 | |
| Dewey Beach | $1,240,000 | $2,333 | 3/10 | |
| Greenville | $1,100,000 | $1,585 | 4/10 | |
| Rehoboth Beach | $835,000 | $2,500 | 5/10 |
Safety is a major concern for many people relocating to Delaware. These cities rank among the safest in the state based on the latest FBI crime data. They report lower rates of violent and property crime than the Delaware average. You can explore the full list in our safest places to live in Delaware rankings.
Based on information from Bright MLS through Oct 5, 2026, 3:02 PM. Listing information is from various brokers who participate in the Bright MLS IDX program and not all listings may be visible on the site. The property information being provided on or through the website is for the personal, non-commercial use of consumers and such information may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Some properties which appear for sale on the website may no longer be available because they are for instance, under contract, sold or are no longer being offered for sale. Property information displayed is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. IDX information is provided exclusively for personal, non-commercial use, and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. © 2026 Bright MLS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Click here for more information
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