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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $895 (excluding rent), and $2,450 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,443 (excluding rent), and $4,839 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.75 $12.75

$10.29 $10.29

$34.31 $34.31

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$59.3 $59.3

$49.45 $49.45

$119 $119

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.31 $10.31

$8.84 $8.84

$11.78 $11.78

Cappuccino

$5.1 $5.1

$5.08 $5.08

$6.15 $6.15

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 $2.23

$2.05 $2.05

$3.08 $3.08

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.2 $2.2

$1.96 $1.96

$2.94 $2.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.09 $5.09

$10.18 $10.18

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.79 $7.79

$7.54 $7.54

$12.07 $12.07

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.5 $0.5

$1.36 $1.36

White Bread (500g)

$2.3 $2.3

$1.13 $1.13

$5.08 $5.08

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.94 $4.94

$2.15 $2.15

$7.53 $7.53

Eggs

$4.06 $4.06

$2.45 $2.45

$5.42 $5.42

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.19 $12.19

$11.19 $11.19

$33.58 $33.58

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.72 $11.72

$6.03 $6.03

$22.42 $22.42

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$25.03 $25.03

$13.23 $13.23

$44.15 $44.15

Apples (1kg)

$6.88 $6.88

$2.91 $2.91

$11.19 $11.19

Banana (1kg)

$1.08 $1.08

$2.46 $2.46

Oranges (1kg)

$5.41 $5.41

$2.44 $2.44

$11.07 $11.07

Tomato (1kg)

$5.94 $5.94

$3.58 $3.58

$8.99 $8.99

Potato (1kg)

$4.02 $4.02

$1.94 $1.94

$6.53 $6.53

Onion (1kg)

$3.2 $3.2

$1.96 $1.96

$4.46 $4.46

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.83 $1.83

$1.63 $1.63

$2.65 $2.65

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.4 $2.4

$1.86 $1.86

$2.95 $2.95

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.38 $8.38

$5.9 $5.9

$12.81 $12.81

Wine (Bottle)

$17.26 $17.26

$10.14 $10.14

$25.38 $25.38

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.94 $1.94

$1.75 $1.75

$3.03 $3.03

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.24 $3.24

$1.96 $1.96

$7.83 $7.83

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.02 $2.02

$1.26 $1.26

$2.02 $2.02

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.83 $2.83

$1.99 $1.99

$3.98 $3.98

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.22 $1.22

$1.53 $1.53

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.45 $25.45

$22.4 $22.4

$30.54 $30.54

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.88 $0.88

$0.8 $0.8

$0.96 $0.96

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)

$25.4K $25.4K

$24.2K $24.2K

$26.4K $26.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$127 $127

$84.9 $84.9

$335 $335

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$43.62 $43.62

$24.73 $24.73

$198 $198

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.3 $72.3

$50.8 $50.8

$112 $112

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.41 $42.41

$17.26 $17.26

$49.32 $49.32

Cinema Ticket

$14.61 $14.61

$9.41 $9.41

$19.8 $19.8

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$694 $694

$2,480 $2,480

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$21.4K $21.4K

$42.8K $42.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56 $56

$34.78 $34.78

$99.4 $99.4

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.5 $53.5

$38.94 $38.94

$150 $150

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.1 $92.1

$64.5 $64.5

$138 $138

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 $116

$49.18 $49.18

$246 $246

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,791 $1,791

$1,592 $1,592

$1,990 $1,990

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,310 $1,310

$1,209 $1,209

$1,411 $1,411

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,513 $2,513

$2,312 $2,312

$2,714 $2,714

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,112 $2,112

$1,965 $1,965

$2,259 $2,259

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,057 $2,057

$1,824 $1,824

$2,189 $2,189

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,069 $2,069

$1,910 $1,910

$2,165 $2,165

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,713 $5,713

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.55

6.19

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: December 2, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Dover, DE - Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.