At $2,418/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
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 $2,418 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: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Lewes is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in June 2022.
Rent has risen 8 months in a row, and rose in 11 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($96,393) is $2,410 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($2,270); a 4-bedroom is $2,830.
Milford, 18 miles away, rents for 21% less ($1,902/mo), about $6,200 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Lewes. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Lewes, DE has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Lewes, DE stood at $2,225 in 2023 and currently runs about $2,418, reflecting a 8.7% 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.
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At $2,418/mo, how Lewes rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Lewes rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Lewes. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Lewes
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Lewes is $2,418/mo as of October 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 30% of local median household income ($96,393/yr), Lewes ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Lewes?
Is rent going up or down in Lewes?
How does Lewes rent compare to other cities in Delaware?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lewes?
At $2,418/mo, rent takes ~30% of Lewes's median household income ($96,393/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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