Senior living in Delaware
Delaware is known as the First State, and it makes sense that this could be your first destination for retirement. There are many reasons why someone would want to move there. It's an iconic piece of US history, and it's a state with some moderate weather. In addition, it's a state with low taxes, meaning that you might be able to have a peaceful retirement without having to pay Uncle Sam too much. However, what is the cost of living compared to the rest of the US? We'll look at Delaware's cost of living in the next section, so stay tuned.
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Cost of living in Delaware
The cost of living in Delaware is about 8 points higher than the national average. Groceries, transportation, and miscellaneous costs are the big reasons this state can be expensive. However, the cost of housing is about 7 points less than the average, and the median home cost is less. Despite its low housing, rent costs are more than the average, so that's something to consider if you don't want to buy a home. In any state, the living costs can be determined by where in the state you're considering moving. So with careful research, you could have an affordable retirement.
Cost-of-living indices
100 = US average. Higher means more expensive.
- Overall
- 108.1
- Grocery
- 109.5
- Housing
- 93.3
- Utilities
- 104.3
- Transportation
- 111
- Misc.
- 113.7
Housing & rent
Statewide medians and averages.
- Median home
- $251,100
- Average rent
- $1,130
- Studio
- $1,030
- 1 bedroom
- $1,074
- 2 bedroom
- $1,327
- 3 bedroom
- $1,579
Care levels in Delaware
Whether you're comparing options for a parent or planning ahead for yourself, here's where to start by care level.
- AL
Assisted Living
Assisted living provides personal care, meals, and daily support for seniors who need help with everyday tasks but not full medical supervision.
- MC
Memory Care
Memory care is a specialized type of senior living for people with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other cognitive decline.
- IL
Independent Living
Independent living is community housing for active seniors who want amenities, social life, and freedom from home upkeep without daily personal-care services.
- HC
Home Care
Home care brings personal-care services and companionship into the senior's own home rather than moving them into a community.
- SNF
Nursing Homes
A skilled nursing facility (SNF, often called a nursing home) provides 24-hour licensed medical care and rehabilitation for seniors with serious health conditions.
- SA
Senior Apartments
Senior apartments are age-restricted rental homes - typically for residents 55+ or 62+ - designed for older adults who live independently.
Browse by city
Popular cities in Delaware
- Wilmington, DE49 communities
- Hockessin, DE18 communities
- Newark, DE14 communities
- Dover, DE13 communities
- New Castle, DE9 communities
- Bear, DE5 communities
- Lewes, DE4 communities
- Milford, DE4 communities
- Millsboro, DE4 communities
- Smyrna, DE4 communities
- Bethany Beach, DE3 communities
- Claymont, DE3 communities
Hand-picked from our directory
Top assisted living in Delaware
Caregivers who come to you
Top home care in Delaware
Home Instead Senior Care - Dover, De
Dover, DE
4.4 · 67 reviews
Home Instead Senior Care - Lewes, De
Lewes, DE
4.6 · 45 reviews
Griswold Home Care Wilmington, De
Wilmington, DE
4.6 · 37 reviews
Silver Lining Home Healthcare - Dover, De
Bear, DE
5.0 · 13 reviews
Home Instead Senior Care - Wilmington, De
Wilmington, DE
4.9 · 9 reviews
Interim Healthcare Of Smyrna, De Smyrna, De
Smyrna, DE
4.8 · 9 reviews
Local pricing
Assisted living monthly cost by city in Delaware
Median monthly cost of assisted living, sourced from public data. Actual community pricing varies by apartment size, level of care, and amenities.
| City | Avg. monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Bear | $6,113.00 |
| Bethany Beach | $6,010.00 |
| Bethel | $6,010.00 |
| Bridgeville | $6,010.00 |
| Camden Wyoming | $6,010.00 |
| Cheswold | $5,955.00 |
| Claymont | $5,928.00 |
| Clayton | $5,272.00 |
| Dagsboro | $4,999.00 |
| Delaware City | $4,917.00 |
| Delmar | $4,917.00 |
| Dover | $4,887.00 |
| Dover Afb | $4,753.00 |
| Ellendale | $4,521.00 |
| Felton | $4,370.00 |
| Fenwick Island | $4,261.00 |
| Frankford | $4,020.00 |
Common questions about senior living in Delaware
- What types of senior care are available in Delaware?
- Delaware has communities offering assisted living, memory care, independent living, home care, and skilled nursing. Larger metros have more depth of options across all care levels; smaller markets may have fewer choices in any single category.
- How much does assisted living cost in Delaware?
- Assisted living costs in Delaware vary widely by metro, apartment size, and the resident's level of care. The national median is roughly $5,000 per month; major metros tend to run higher and rural areas lower. Each community sets its own pricing - request a written cost breakdown when you tour.
- Does Delaware Medicaid pay for assisted living?
- Medicaid does not pay for room-and-board in assisted living, but Delaware's Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver may cover some assisted-living services for eligible residents. Coverage and eligibility vary - check directly with your state's Medicaid agency or an elder-law attorney.
- How do I evaluate a nursing home in Delaware?
- Start with the CMS 5-star rating on Medicare.gov for any Medicare-certified facility, then look at the underlying staffing data and the most recent state inspection report. Tour the facility, watch staff interact with residents, and ask about staffing levels during evenings and overnight.
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