Rents are 13% below what Dover's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,654 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Dover, DE is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 26.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Dover, DE has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Dover, DE stood at $1,346 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,654, reflecting a 22.9% increase over the period. Census figures show median household income at $60,199 today, compared with $51,073 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 2.3% since 2021, moving from about 38,940 residents to roughly 39,837. Renters now make up 53.1% of households, compared with 51.1% five years ago. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Dover on your salary?
At $1,654/mo, how Dover rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Dover rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Dover. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Dover
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Dover is $1,654/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,165/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,480/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,170/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,065/mo.
At 33% of local median household income ($60,199/yr), Dover ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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What percentage of Dover residents rent vs. own?
How does Dover rent compare to the national average?
At $1,654/mo, rent takes ~33% of Dover's median household income ($60,199/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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