Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$91,166$7,597 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in New Castle County, DE
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: New Castle County, DE
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,397 | $16,764 | $55,880 | 18.4% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,520 | $18,240 | $60,800 | 20% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,810 | $21,720 | $72,400 | 23.8% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,170 | $26,040 | $86,800 | 28.6% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,423 | $29,076 | $96,920 | 31.9% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in New Castle County, DE
Based on the local median household income of $91,166/year ($7,597/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Delaware
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Delaware state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Delaware with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in New Castle County, DE
What is the median household income in New Castle County, DE?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in New Castle County, DE is $91,166 per year (approximately $7,597 per month).
What is the average rent in New Castle County, DE?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in New Castle County, DE are $1,397 for a studio, $1,520 for 1 bedroom, $1,810 for 2 bedrooms, $2,170 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,423 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in New Castle County, DE compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in New Castle County, DE is 102.6 (2.6% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in New Castle County, DE?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,810/month) in New Castle County, DE requires a minimum gross household income of $72,400 per year ($6,033 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in New Castle County, DE?
For a typical household earning the median income of $91,166/year ($7,597/month) in New Castle County, DE, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,799/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,279/month to discretionary spending, and $1,519/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in New Castle County, DE?
Residential electricity rates in Delaware average 19.3¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $174 per month.