Delaware
Delaware ranks #28 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 53.3/100 and a C+ grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (67/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (24/100).
How Does Delaware Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Delaware
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 107 | Middletown | A | 63.3 | 24,071 | $115,252 | 216.7 | 102.6 |
| 130 | Hockessin | A | 62.3 | 13,608 | $172,695 | — | — |
| 197 | North Star | A | 60.2 | 8,178 | $167,664 | — | — |
| 316 | Pike Creek | B+ | 57.3 | 7,185 | $135,703 | — | — |
| 382 | Newark | B | 55.8 | 30,309 | $71,373 | 263.3 | 112.5 |
| 448 | Millsboro | B | 54.1 | 7,152 | $77,750 | 377.7 | — |
| 499 | Pike Creek Valley | B | 53.0 | 11,992 | $93,896 | — | — |
| 502 | Glasgow | C+ | 52.9 | 16,095 | $109,803 | — | — |
| 526 | Bear | C+ | 52.4 | 22,604 | $88,985 | — | — |
| 645 | Claymont | C+ | 49.7 | 9,543 | $75,808 | — | — |
| 699 | Wilmington Manor | C | 48.3 | 8,030 | $72,346 | — | — |
| 700 | Edgemoor | C | 48.3 | 6,671 | $79,572 | — | — |
| 715 | Elsmere | C | 48.0 | 6,189 | $76,378 | 391.5 | — |
| 728 | Brookside | C | 47.3 | 15,262 | $72,031 | — | — |
| 732 | Smyrna | C | 47.2 | 13,031 | $70,473 | 393.6 | — |
| 759 | Milford | C | 46.7 | 12,193 | $55,265 | 870 | 103.5 |
| 844 | Georgetown | D | 43.7 | 7,456 | $47,423 | 720.1 | 97.6 |
| 847 | Wilmington | D | 43.5 | 71,672 | $50,420 | 1310.9 | 103.5 |
| 914 | Seaford | D | 41.0 | 8,255 | $51,120 | 1035 | — |
| 929 | Dover | D | 40.3 | 39,491 | $58,336 | 997.2 | 91.7 |
Best Cities in Delaware for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middletown | 64.7 | 71.0 | 79.6 | 65.2 |
| 2 | Newark | 63.8 | 77.0 | 76.5 | 64.1 |
| 3 | Hockessin | 58.5 | 73.6 | 50.3 | 43.8 |
| 4 | Millsboro | 58.4 | 65.7 | 67.3 | 65.7 |
| 5 | North Star | 55.7 | 49.0 | 50.3 | 57.6 |
More Northeast States
Delaware Rankings Overview
Delaware earns an overall grade of C+ with a composite score of 53.3 out of 100, ranking #28 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (67/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (24/100).
Economy & Employment in Delaware
With an unemployment rate of 5.2% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Delaware performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $79,810, which ranks above the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Delaware
Delaware's violent crime rate of 423 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Delaware
Delaware ranks #28 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #26 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Delaware is 77.4 years, and the high school graduation rate is 88%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Delaware
Delaware's total tax burden is 6.52% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 7.85%. The effective property tax rate is 0.55%, and there is no sales tax.
Housing & Affordability in Delaware
The median home price in Delaware is $352,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 99 (where 100 equals the national average), roughly in line with national costs. The price-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
Environment in Delaware
Delaware has a median air quality index of 41 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 6% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 19.9 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Delaware
Delaware's population growth rate is +0.7% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +7.9 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 97.4% of households have broadband internet access, among the best-connected states.
Best Cities in Delaware
The top-ranked cities in Delaware based on our composite scoring are Middletown, Hockessin, and North Star. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Delaware.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Delaware's overall ranking?
Delaware ranks #28 out of 50 states with a composite score of 53.3/100 and a grade of C+.
Is Delaware a good place to live?
Delaware scores 53.3/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in Delaware?
The violent crime rate in Delaware is 423 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Delaware's economy compare?
Delaware's median household income is $79,810 with an unemployment rate of 5.2%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is above the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Delaware?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Delaware are Middletown, Hockessin, and North Star.
How does Delaware rank for families?
Delaware ranks #29 of 50 states for families with a score of 56.8/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Delaware rank for retirees?
Delaware ranks #22 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 61.7/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Delaware rank for remote workers?
Delaware ranks #29 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 54.7/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.