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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,092 (excluding rent), and $2,885 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,604 (excluding rent), and $5,108 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.73 $16.73

$14.76 $14.76

$44.29 $44.29

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$86.2 $86.2

$60.9 $60.9

$203 $203

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.85 $10.85

$9.86 $9.86

$12.81 $12.81

Cappuccino

$3.67 $3.67

$2.94 $2.94

$7.83 $7.83

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

$2.52 $2.52

$2.02 $2.02

$4.03 $4.03

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.02 $1.02

$5.12 $5.12

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.59 $4.59

$4.08 $4.08

$12.24 $12.24

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.16 $7.16

$6.13 $6.13

$15.33 $15.33

Milk (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$0.67 $0.67

$1.97 $1.97

White Bread (500g)

$3.67 $3.67

$1.69 $1.69

$6.81 $6.81

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.36 $5.36

$2.66 $2.66

$11.19 $11.19

Eggs

$3.1 $3.1

$2.13 $2.13

$7.14 $7.14

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.27 $15.27

$8.27 $8.27

$26.18 $26.18

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.18 $12.18

$6.54 $6.54

$19.7 $19.7

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.38 $16.38

$12.43 $12.43

$32.77 $32.77

Apples (1kg)

$6.15 $6.15

$3.04 $3.04

$13.16 $13.16

Banana (1kg)

$1.7 $1.7

$1.09 $1.09

$6.64 $6.64

Oranges (1kg)

$5.35 $5.35

$2.26 $2.26

$11.34 $11.34

Tomato (1kg)

$4.01 $4.01

$2.22 $2.22

$11.2 $11.2

Potato (1kg)

$3.49 $3.49

$1.64 $1.64

$8.79 $8.79

Onion (1kg)

$3.13 $3.13

$1.92 $1.92

$6.48 $6.48

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.03 $2.03

$4.08 $4.08

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.47 $1.47

$0.98 $0.98

$3.61 $3.61

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.85 $9.85

$8.87 $8.87

$19.7 $19.7

Wine (Bottle)

$12.31 $12.31

$11.82 $11.82

$12.8 $12.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.63 $2.63

$1.76 $1.76

$4.36 $4.36

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.67 $4.67

$2.45 $2.45

$10.2 $10.2

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.61 $1.61

$1.27 $1.27

$1.95 $1.95

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$61.1 $61.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.12 $4.12

$3.09 $3.09

$5.15 $5.15

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.22 $1.22

$1.53 $1.53

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.89 $29.89

$59.8 $59.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.78 $0.78

$0.7 $0.7

$1.02 $1.02

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.9K $29.9K

$25K $25K

$35.6K $35.6K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.4K $25.4K

$28.5K $28.5K

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

$205 $205

$139 $139

$303 $303

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

$54.4 $54.4

$29.48 $29.48

$98.3 $98.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.8 $66.8

$39.26 $39.26

$103 $103

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.26 $33.26

$27.8 $27.8

$38.72 $38.72

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.91 $14.91

Cinema Ticket

$12.03 $12.03

$8.52 $8.52

$25.06 $25.06

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

$1,618 $1,618

$1,264 $1,264

$4,046 $4,046

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.8K $40.8K

$30.5K $30.5K

$48.7K $48.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$37.16 $37.16

$25.11 $25.11

$110 $110

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.98 $46.98

$28.98 $28.98

$75 $75

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.1 $84.1

$61.1 $61.1

$143 $143

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$93.1 $93.1

$75.5 $75.5

$201 $201

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,962 $1,962

$1,725 $1,725

$2,334 $2,334

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,638 $1,638

$1,504 $1,504

$1,705 $1,705

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,151 $3,151

$2,265 $2,265

$4,923 $4,923

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,282 $2,282

$1,711 $1,711

$3,020 $3,020

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,865 $2,865

$2,417 $2,417

$3,728 $3,728

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,429 $2,429

$2,368 $2,368

$2,476 $2,476

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,737 $3,737

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Wilmington, DE - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with bigger East Coast metros, Wilmington often feels more approachable for daily life. You’ll usually find a practical balance between housing options, walkable neighborhoods, and modest living costs, especially for remote workers and families who want proximity to major cities without the highest price tag. The city’s steady pace, parks, and riverfront vibe add value beyond rent alone. Cost of Living in Wilmington, DE, United States tends to be moderate relative to louder coastal hubs, which tends to attract professionals who want a lower-stress environment while staying within reach of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and beyond. Tip: start with a short stay to test neighborhoods.

Daily life in Wilmington blends manageable city vibes with easy access to green spaces and riverside paths. When hunting for a place, start with Downtown, Riverfront, or East Side for walkability, then widen to suburban neighborhoods if you want quieter streets and more space. The Wilmington, DE, United States living cost shapes how you shop, where you live, and how you commute. Food is diverse, with farmers markets, seafood stands, and affordable casual spots. Transportation works with a practical mix of car use, buses, and rail links to Philadelphia. For work or study, look for flexible coworking spaces, libraries, and coffee spots that suit short work sessions. Tip: test a few neighborhoods on weekends to feel the pulse.

Quality of life in Wilmington often comes from a compact, walkable core paired with quick access to parks, waterways, and cultural small-biz scenes. To budget well, use a simple framework like 50/30/20: housing first, essentials second, discretionary third, then adjust by season. Pick a neighborhood that matches your pace – downtown for nightlife and events, Highlands for a quieter, family-friendly feel, or Riverfront-adjacent areas for easy strolls to cafes. Seasonality affects energy use and activities; summers invite outdoor markets, winters favor cozy cafés. Safety and access to services vary by block, so tour at different times of day and talk to locals before committing. Tip: set up a short-term lease while you explore.