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City Report · DE

Middletown

Pop. 24,661·1st most expensive in Delaware·Middletown rents are up 6.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,733/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.3%
Month-over-Month
+0.4%
vs US Median
+$768
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Middletown · $2,733
More expensive than 86% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,733/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$109,000/yr
Local median income
$112,831/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Middletown's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,510
1 BR
$1,660
2 BR
$1,980
3 BR
$2,390
4 BR+
$2,710
Research median
$1,980/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
$32,796/yr
At $2,733/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.3% YoY, +0.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Middletown, DE is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 44% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
24,661
Median income
$112,831
Median age
38.7
Renters
23.2%
Age distribution
27.6%
18%
28.6%
15.4%
Under 1827.6%
18–3418%
35–5428.6%
55–6410.4%
65+15.4%
Gender
43.9%
56.1%
Male43.9%
Female56.1%
Race & ethnicity
51.9%
31.6%
White51.9%
Black31.6%
Hispanic5.9%
Asian4.2%
Other6.4%
Education (25+)
22.8%
29.7%
44%
No HS diploma3.4%
HS diploma22.8%
Some college29.7%
Bachelor's+44%
Housing tenure
76.8%
23.2%
Owner76.8%
Renter23.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Middletown, DE has changed in 5 years

Income
$93,750 → $112,831
up 20.4%
Population
23,001 → 24,661
up 7.2%
Renter share
23.1% → 23.2%
+0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
39% → 44%
+5.0 pts
Median age
40.3 → 38.7
-1.6 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $93,750 in 2021 to $112,831 more recently. The population has grown by 7.2% since 2021, moving from about 23,001 residents to roughly 24,661. College-educated residents now make up 44% of adults here, versus 39% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Middletown

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

Can you afford rent in Middletown on your salary?

At $2,733/mo, how Middletown rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Middletown rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Middletown

About renting in Middletown, DE

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Middletown is $2,733/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,510/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,980/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,660/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,390/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($112,831/yr), Middletown ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Middletown an affordable city for renters?

Middletown is considered affordable for renters. At $2,733/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($112,831/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Middletown falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Middletown?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $109,000/year (~$52/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,733/mo in Middletown. The local median household income is $112,831/yr, meaning the typical Middletown household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Middletown?

Rent in Middletown has increased 6.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Middletown rent compare to other cities in Delaware?

Middletown is one of the pricier cities in Delaware for rent, ranking #1 out of 9 tracked cities at $2,733/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Middletown?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Middletown ($2,733/mo): New Castle ($1,747/mo), Salem ($1,775/mo), Elkton ($1,903/mo).

What percentage of Middletown residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 23.2% of Middletown households are renters, while 76.8% are owner-occupied. Middletown leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Middletown rent compare to the national average?

Middletown's median rent of $2,733/mo is $768 (39%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Delaware, it ranks #1 out of 9 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,733/mo, rent takes ~29% of Middletown's median household income ($112,831/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Middletown 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.2–6.6%
Run the Middletown affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Middletown
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Middletown, DE

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