Cost of Living in Dover, DE - Updated Prices & Insights

76.01
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,099 (excluding rent), and $2,581 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,632 (excluding rent), and $4,806 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.21 $13.21
$10.67 $10.67
$35.55 $35.55
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.8 $59.8
$49.8 $49.8
$120 $120
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.59 $10.59
$9.08 $9.08
$12.1 $12.1
Cappuccino
$4.95 $4.95
$4.93 $4.93
$5.98 $5.98
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21 $2.21
$2.04 $2.04
$3.06 $3.06
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.2 $2.2
$1.95 $1.95
$2.93 $2.93
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.03 $5.03
$5.03 $5.03
$10.06 $10.06
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.88 $7.88
$7.63 $7.63
$12.2 $12.2
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.02 $1.02
$0.5 $0.5
$1.35 $1.35
White Bread (500g)
$2.23 $2.23
$1.09 $1.09
$4.93 $4.93
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.92 $4.92
$2.14 $2.14
$7.5 $7.5
Eggs
$4.22 $4.22
$2.55 $2.55
$5.64 $5.64
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.81 $11.81
$10.85 $10.85
$32.55 $32.55
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.54 $11.54
$5.94 $5.94
$22.09 $22.09
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$24.72 $24.72
$13.07 $13.07
$43.62 $43.62
Apples (1kg)
$6.86 $6.86
$2.9 $2.9
$11.15 $11.15
Banana (1kg)
$1.13 $1.13
$1.13 $1.13
$2.58 $2.58
Oranges (1kg)
$5.3 $5.3
$2.39 $2.39
$10.83 $10.83
Tomato (1kg)
$5.88 $5.88
$3.54 $3.54
$8.9 $8.9
Potato (1kg)
$4.14 $4.14
$1.99 $1.99
$6.72 $6.72
Onion (1kg)
$3.26 $3.26
$1.99 $1.99
$4.53 $4.53
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.75 $1.75
$1.55 $1.55
$2.53 $2.53
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.45 $2.45
$1.9 $1.9
$3.02 $3.02
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.3 $8.3
$5.85 $5.85
$12.7 $12.7
Wine (Bottle)
$15.85 $15.85
$9.89 $9.89
$21.79 $21.79
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.94 $1.94
$1.75 $1.75
$3.02 $3.02
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28 $3.28
$1.98 $1.98
$7.92 $7.92
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.99 $1.99
$1.25 $1.25
$1.99 $1.99
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.93 $2.93
$2.06 $2.06
$4.12 $4.12
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.26 $1.26
$1.57 $1.57
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$24.55 $24.55
$21.61 $21.61
$29.47 $29.47
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.83 $0.83
$0.75 $0.75
$0.9 $0.9
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31K $31K
$23K $23K
$35K $35K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2K $25.2K
$24K $24K
$26.2K $26.2K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$129 $129
$86.1 $86.1
$339 $339
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$44.03 $44.03
$24.96 $24.96
$200 $200
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.9 $70.9
$49.8 $49.8
$110 $110
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$122 $122
$17.82 $17.82
$122 $122
Cinema Ticket
$14.53 $14.53
$9.36 $9.36
$19.7 $19.7
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$696 $696
$696 $696
$2,485 $2,485
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.5K $21.5K
$21.5K $21.5K
$43K $43K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.2 $56.2
$34.94 $34.94
$99.8 $99.8
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.7 $54.7
$39.77 $39.77
$153 $153
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.8 $91.8
$64.3 $64.3
$137 $137
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 $119
$50.3 $50.3
$252 $252
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,807 $1,807
$1,606 $1,606
$2,008 $2,008
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,291 $1,291
$1,191 $1,191
$1,390 $1,390
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,472 $2,472
$2,275 $2,275
$2,670 $2,670
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,139 $2,139
$1,990 $1,990
$2,289 $2,289
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,020 $2,020
$1,837 $1,837
$2,204 $2,204
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,095 $2,095
$1,964 $1,964
$2,226 $2,226
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$7,508 $7,508
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.55
6.19
8
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Dover, DE - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dover a good value overall for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Dover offers a balance of modest housing, accessible services, and a compact, walkable center that keeps daily errands manageable. For many visitors and long-term stays, it feels practical without the hustle of bigger metros. Cost of Living in Dover, DE, United States tends to be more moderate than coastal gateways or major tech hubs, while still offering reliable amenities like groceries, healthcare, and coworking spaces. You’ll notice seasonal variation in energy use and crowds around events, but it remains manageable with a simple budgeting approach. Tip: Start with a short-term lease or flexible housing to test neighborhoods before committing.
What does daily life look like in Dover, including housing search, food options, transport, and coworking?
Daily life blends small-town charm with straightforward practicality. You’ll likely find a mix of historic homes and modern apartments, with neighborhoods straddling quiet residential blocks and a compact downtown core. For housing search, start near the Capitol area or riverfront for walkability, but also explore broader suburbs if you want more space. Groceries, cafes, and casual dining are well-covered, and coworking spaces are common around the center. Public transit is available, and biking is feasible in many seasons. Dover, DE, United States living cost varies by neighborhood – plan with a flexible budget. Tip: Use short exploratory trips to map commute times and preferred grocery routes before you commit to a lease.
What budgeting tips and neighborhood-fit considerations help maximize quality of life in Dover, considering seasonality?
A practical approach uses a simple three-category budget – essentials, flexible spending, and savings. In Dover, you’ll notice how heating in winter and cooling in summer can shift monthly costs, so keep a seasonal buffer. Focus on housing in neighborhoods that suit your pace – downtown for amenities, or quieter blocks for space and light noise. Buy in-season produce, cook at home, and look for small gyms or co-working days to cut recurring costs. Seasonality and event calendars also shape leisure spending, so plan for occasional spikes. Tip: track a month of expenses to identify where you can trim.
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