Delaware real estate investing data by county
Updated 2026-11-09 · Official Census, HUD, NAIC and FHFA figures
What does it cost to own and rent in Delaware?
Across Delaware's 3 counties, the median county has an effective property tax rate of 0.46%, a median home value of $329,800 and a median rent of $1,285 a month. New Castle, the most populous county, has a median home value of $329,800 and a 0.74% tax rate. Property tax is lowest in Sussex (0.33%) and highest in New Castle (0.74%). The average homeowners premium is $1,196 a year. On a $250,000 purchase, the New Castle rate works out to about $1,850 a year in property tax.
- Median property tax rate
- 0.46%
- Median home value
- $329,800
- Median rent / month
- $1,285
- Average insurance / year
- $1,196
Is there a transfer tax in Delaware?
State tax of 2.5% of value where the full 1.5% local tax applies, else 3%; apportioned equally between grantor and grantee, with a first-time-buyer reduction on the grantee share only. Where the county or municipality levies its full 1.5% the state rate is 2.5% (4% combined); otherwise the state rate is 3%. Rules change and exemptions exist, so confirm with your title company. Delaware Code Title 30 ch. 54
Delaware property tax, home values and rent by county
Select a column heading to sort.
| New Castle | 0.74% | $2,444 | $329,800 | $1,379 | $2,216 | 8.4% | 5.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sussex | 0.33% | $1,171 | $353,300 | $1,221 | $1,843 | 9.4% | 6.3% |
| Kent | 0.46% | $1,331 | $290,600 | $1,285 | $2,244 | 8.3% | 5.9% |
Common questions
What is the typical property tax rate in Delaware?
The median Delaware county has an effective property tax rate of 0.46%, calculated from median taxes paid and median home value in the Census American Community Survey (2019-2023). Rates range from 0.33% in Sussex to 0.74% in New Castle.
How much is homeowners insurance in Delaware?
The average Delaware HO-3 homeowners premium was $1,196 a year in 2023, according to the NAIC. That ranks 41 of 51 among the states and DC. This is a statewide average, so get a quote for the specific property.
What is fair market rent in New Castle, Delaware?
HUD's 2027 Fair Market Rent for a three-bedroom home in New Castle is $2,216 a month, and $1,860 for a two-bedroom. HUD sets these at about the 40th percentile of rents, including utilities, so treat them as a cautious baseline.
How fast have home prices risen in Delaware?
The median Delaware county saw home prices rise 8.4% a year over the five years to 2025, according to the FHFA House Price Index. In New Castle, the ten-year pace was 5.5% a year. Those years include an unusually strong run, so don't assume the same pace going forward.
Where these numbers come from
Tax rate is median real estate taxes paid divided by median owner-occupied home value, ACS 2019-2023. A buyer may be reassessed higher than a long-time owner, so check the county's actual rate. Rents are HUD Fair Market Rents for 2027. Insurance is the NAIC 2023 statewide HO-3 average. Price changes are annualized from FHFA's developmental county House Price Index through 2025, and a dash means FHFA doesn't report that county. Past growth doesn't predict future growth. Updated 2026-11-09. Estimates only, not financial advice.
Run a Delaware deal with these numbers
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