RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · DE

Lewes

Pop. 3,505·3rd most expensive in Delaware·Lewes rents have dropped 5.2%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$2,170/mo
Year-over-Year
-5.2%
Month-over-Month
+5.7%
vs US Median
+$205
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Lewes rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lewes · $2,170
More expensive than 68% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,170/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$87,000/yr
Local median income
$96,393/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Lewes's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,330
1 BR
$1,370
2 BR
$1,800
3 BR
$2,270
4 BR+
$2,830
Research median
$1,800/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$26,040/yr
At $2,170/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (5.2% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (-5.2% YoY, +5.7% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Lewes, DE is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 67.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
3,505
Median income
$96,393
Median age
67.2
Renters
12.9%
Age distribution
15.6%
59.3%
Under 186.4%
18–347.3%
35–5411.4%
55–6415.6%
65+59.3%
Gender
49.4%
50.6%
Male49.4%
Female50.6%
Race & ethnicity
92.9%
White92.9%
Black3.6%
Hispanic0.8%
Asian0.5%
Other2.2%
Education (25+)
12.8%
15.6%
67.8%
No HS diploma3.8%
HS diploma12.8%
Some college15.6%
Bachelor's+67.8%
Housing tenure
87.1%
12.9%
Owner87.1%
Renter12.9%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Lewes, DE has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,045 → $2,170
up 6.1%
Income
$78,125 → $96,393
up 23.4%
Population
3,257 → 3,505
up 7.6%
Renter share
17.1% → 12.9%
-4.2 pts
Bachelor's+
58.5% → 67.8%
+9.3 pts
Median age
65.7 → 67.2
+1.5 yrs

The median rent in Lewes, DE stood at $2,045 in 2023 and currently runs about $2,170, reflecting a 6.1% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $78,125 to $96,393 between 2021 and 2024, a 23.4% shift. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 7.6% since 2021, moving from about 3,257 residents to roughly 3,505. Renters now make up 12.9% of households, compared with 17.1% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 67.8% of adults here, versus 58.5% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Lewes, DE reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Lewes

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Lewes on your salary?

At $2,170/mo, how Lewes rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lewes rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lewes

About renting in Lewes, DE

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lewes is $2,170/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,330/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,800/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,370/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,270/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($96,393/yr), Lewes ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 5.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lewes an affordable city for renters?

Lewes is considered affordable for renters. At $2,170/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($96,393/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lewes falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Lewes?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $87,000/year (~$42/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,170/mo in Lewes. The local median household income is $96,393/yr, meaning the typical Lewes household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lewes?

Rent in Lewes has decreased 5.2% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Lewes rent compare to other cities in Delaware?

Lewes is one of the pricier cities in Delaware for rent, ranking #3 out of 9 tracked cities at $2,170/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lewes?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Lewes ($2,170/mo): Wildwood ($1,900/mo), Milford ($2,092/mo).

What percentage of Lewes residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 12.9% of Lewes households are renters, while 87.1% are owner-occupied. Lewes leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lewes rent compare to the national average?

Lewes's median rent of $2,170/mo is $205 (10%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Delaware, it ranks #3 out of 9 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,170/mo, rent takes ~27% of Lewes's median household income ($96,393/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lewes 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.2–6.6%
Run the Lewes affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Lewes
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lewes, DE

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Lewes.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.