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City Report · DE

Bear

Pop. 22,370·2nd most expensive in Delaware·Bear rents are up 8.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,345/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.6%
Month-over-Month
+1.5%
vs US Median
+$380
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bear · $2,345
More expensive than 74% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
53/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Bear's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,345/mo
Expected by trend
$2,376/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Bear's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,700
1 BR
$1,870
2 BR
$2,230
3 BR
$2,690
4 BR+
$3,050
Research median
$2,230/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$28,140/yr
At $2,345/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.6% YoY, +1.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Bear, DE is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 32.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
22,370
Median income
$91,687
Median age
37.9
Renters
34.9%
Age distribution
22.9%
23%
26.5%
12.6%
14.9%
Under 1822.9%
18–3423%
35–5426.5%
55–6412.6%
65+14.9%
Gender
47.1%
52.9%
Male47.1%
Female52.9%
Race & ethnicity
30%
37.7%
21.2%
White30%
Black37.7%
Hispanic21.2%
Asian8.3%
Other2.7%
Education (25+)
29.6%
26.1%
32.5%
No HS diploma11.8%
HS diploma29.6%
Some college26.1%
Bachelor's+32.5%
Housing tenure
65.1%
34.9%
Owner65.1%
Renter34.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Bear, DE has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,649 → $2,345
up 42.2%
Income
$79,981 → $91,687
up 14.6%
Population
21,625 → 22,370
up 3.4%
Renter share
41% → 34.9%
-6.1 pts
Bachelor's+
34.8% → 32.5%
-2.3 pts
Median age
37.4 → 37.9
+0.5 yrs

The median rent in Bear, DE stood at $1,649 in 2021 and currently runs about $2,345, reflecting a 42.2% increase over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $79,981 in 2021 to $91,687 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 3.4% since 2021, moving from about 21,625 residents to roughly 22,370. Renters now make up 34.9% of households, compared with 41% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 32.5% of adults here, versus 34.8% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Bear, DE market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Bear

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View Bear rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bear on your salary?

At $2,345/mo, how Bear rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bear rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Bear. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bear

About renting in Bear, DE

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Bear is $2,345/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,700/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,230/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,870/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,690/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($91,687/yr), Bear ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bear an affordable city for renters?

Bear is considered moderate for renters. At $2,345/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($91,687/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bear slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Bear?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $94,000/year (~$45/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,345/mo in Bear. The local median household income is $91,687/yr, meaning the typical Bear household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bear?

Rent in Bear has increased 8.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Bear rent compare to other cities in Delaware?

Bear is one of the pricier cities in Delaware for rent, ranking #2 out of 9 tracked cities at $2,345/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bear?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bear ($2,345/mo): New Castle ($1,747/mo), Wilmington ($1,872/mo), Elkton ($1,903/mo).

What percentage of Bear residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.9% of Bear households are renters, while 65.1% are owner-occupied. Bear leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bear rent compare to the national average?

Bear's median rent of $2,345/mo is $380 (19%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Delaware, it ranks #2 out of 9 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $2,345/mo, rent takes ~31% of Bear's median household income ($91,687/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bear 31%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.2–6.6%
Run the Bear affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Bear
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bear, DE

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