Home Affordability Calculator in Delaware

In Delaware, the median home costs $352K and the median household income is $88K/year. Find out how much house you can afford based on your income, debts, and down payment. Formula shown, sources cited — no account required.

Delaware's median home price of $352,000 against a median household income of $87,534 gives a price-to-income ratio of about 4.0 — within reach for dual-income households with reasonable debt loads. The critical caveat is closing costs: at 2.9% of the purchase price, Delaware buyers face roughly $10,208 at settlement before moving expenses. A 10% down payment of $35,200 brings total upfront cash to roughly $45,408. The realty transfer tax — typically split 50/50 between buyer and seller — is the main driver of those high closing costs. In a soft market, buyers can sometimes negotiate for the seller to absorb the full transfer tax, but in competitive conditions that leverage disappears. The DSHA First-Time Homebuyer program and the SMAL Program offer assistance for income-qualified buyers. Use the home affordability calculator with your income and debts, and make sure to build the closing cost premium into your cash reserve before you start making offers.

$352K

Median Home Price

$88K/yr

Median Income

10%

Avg Down Payment

103.1 / 100

Cost of Living

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How Much House Can You Afford in Delaware?

Lenders typically use the 28/36 rule: your monthly housing payment should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income, and total debt payments should stay under 36%. With Delaware's median income of $87,534/year ($7,295/month), that means a maximum housing payment of roughly $2,043/month.

At 6.51% over 30 years with a 10% down payment ($35,200), that monthly budget supports a purchase price of approximately $334,400–$352,000. The median home price in Delaware is $352,000, which means housing is near the national average.

Questions You Might Ask — Home Affordability in Delaware

How much house can I afford in Delaware?

With the median household income of $87,534 in Delaware, the 28% housing rule allows a maximum monthly payment of $2,043. At 6.51% over 30 years with 10% down, that supports a purchase price of roughly $358K. The median home in Delaware is $352K.

What is the median home price in Delaware?

The median home price in Delaware is $352,000 (2026). Prices vary significantly by metro — urban areas typically run 20–50% above the state median, while rural areas may be well below. The cost of living index for Delaware is 103.1 (100 = national average).

What income do I need to afford the median home in Delaware?

To afford the $352K median home in Delaware with a 10% down payment ($35,200) and 6.51% rate (30 years), you need a gross annual income of at least $97,534 — following the 28% rule. The state median household income is $87,534.

What debt-to-income ratio do lenders require in Delaware?

Lenders in Delaware (and nationwide) generally require a total DTI below 43% for conventional loans, with 36% preferred. FHA loans allow up to 50% DTI in some cases. This means your total monthly debt payments — mortgage, car loan, student loans, and credit cards — should not exceed 43% of your gross monthly income ($3,137 on the Delaware median income).

How does Delaware's cost of living affect home affordability?

Delaware has a cost of living index of 103.1 (100 = national average). Delaware's cost of living is near the national average, so total housing affordability is similar to most other states.

Data Sources & Methodology

Median home prices from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Median household income from U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Mortgage rates from Freddie Mac PMMS. Affordability calculations use the 28/36 DTI rule per Fannie Mae guidelines. Last updated 2026.