At $2,705/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within 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 $2,705 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 has risen 7 months in a row, and rose in 11 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($112,831) is $2,821 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,710).
Bear, 6 miles away, rents for 14% less ($2,327/mo), about $4,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Middletown. 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
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Middletown, DE has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Middletown on your salary?
At $2,705/mo, how Middletown rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Middletown rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Middletown. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Middletown
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Middletown is $2,705/mo as of October 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 3.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Middletown?
How does Middletown rent compare to other cities in Delaware?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Middletown?
At $2,705/mo, rent takes ~29% of Middletown's median household income ($112,831/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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