At $1,682/mo, rent takes about 23% 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 $1,682 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 2 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($89,205) is $2,230 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,230).
Chester, PA, 18 miles away, rents for 18% less ($1,386/mo), about $3,600 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for New Castle. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
New Castle, DE is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 33.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How New Castle, DE has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $83,651 to $89,205 across the same window, up 6.6% versus 2021. The population has grown by 1.8% since 2021, moving from about 5,482 residents to roughly 5,579. Renters now make up 36.6% of households, compared with 38.5% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 33.8% of adults here, versus 31% in 2021.
Discussions about New Castle
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in New Castle on your salary?
At $1,682/mo, how New Castle rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
New Castle rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in New Castle. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in New Castle
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in New Castle is $1,682/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,240/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,630/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,370/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,960/mo.
At 23% of local median household income ($89,205/yr), New Castle ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in New Castle?
Is rent going up or down in New Castle?
How does New Castle rent compare to other cities in Delaware?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than New Castle?
At $1,682/mo, rent takes ~23% of New Castle's median household income ($89,205/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for New Castle.
No discussions yet.