Rents are right about where Wilmington's 10-year trend predicts.
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 $1,757 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
December. Asking rents in Wilmington usually run 0.9% below trend in December and 1% above it in August, about $33 a month apart at today's median. Based on 11 years of data.
Rent in Wilmington is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in January 2015.
From 2019 to 2024, rent in Wilmington rose 43.7% while median household income rose 30.3% ($45,032 to $58,671). Rent outpaced income.
Rent in Wilmington is 51.7% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.
Rent has risen 17 months in a row, and rose in 12 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($58,671) is $1,467 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,407); a 2-bedroom is $1,676.
The priciest of 7 ZIP codes in Wilmington, 19808 ($2,204/mo), costs 42% more than the cheapest, 19805 ($1,554/mo).
Chester, PA, 11 miles away, rents for 21% less ($1,386/mo), about $4,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Wilmington. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. 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
Wilmington, DE is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 33.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Wilmington, DE has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Wilmington, DE stood at $1,250 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,757, reflecting a 40.6% increase over the period. Census figures show median household income at $58,671 today, compared with $49,354 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 1.1% since 2021, moving from about 70,926 residents to roughly 71,727. Renters now make up 52% of households, compared with 56.3% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 33.1% of adults here, versus 30.6% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.
Discussions about Wilmington
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Wilmington on your salary?
At $1,757/mo, how Wilmington rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Wilmington rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Wilmington. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Wilmington
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Wilmington is $1,757/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,277/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,676/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,407/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,019/mo.
At 36% of local median household income ($58,671/yr), Wilmington ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Wilmington?
Is rent going up or down in Wilmington?
When is the cheapest time to rent in Wilmington?
Has rent outpaced income in Wilmington?
Which Wilmington neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Wilmington rent compare to other cities in Delaware?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wilmington?
At $1,757/mo, rent takes ~36% of Wilmington's median household income ($58,671/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 Wilmington.
No discussions yet.