How much does it cost to rent in Wilmington, DE?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Wilmington, DE is $1,872. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Wilmington cheaper than other Delaware cities?

Wilmington is among the more affordable cities in Delaware, ranking #6 out of 9 cities at $1,872/mo.

When was Wilmington rent data last updated?

Wilmington rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · DE

Wilmington

Name: Average Rent Prices in Wilmington, DE
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 71,727·6th most expensive in Delaware·Wilmington rents are up 8.8% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,872/mo

Year-over-Year

+8.8%

Month-over-Month

+0.8%

vs US Median

-$93

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Wilmington · $1,872

More expensive than 51% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

49/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Wilmington's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent

$1,872/mo

Expected by trend

$1,859/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Wilmington's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,277

1 BR

$1,407

2 BR

$1,676

3 BR

$2,019

4 BR+

$2,296

Research median

$1,676/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$22,464/yr

At $1,872/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 8.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+8.8% YoY, +0.8% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

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.

Population

71,727

Median income

$58,671

Median age

Renters

52%

Age distribution

21%

26.2%

24.4%

12.9%

15.5%

Under 1821%

18–3426.2%

35–5424.4%

55–6412.9%

65+15.5%

Gender

47%

53%

Male47%

Female53%

Race & ethnicity

30.8%

52.2%

White30.8%

Black52.2%

Hispanic11.9%

Asian1.7%

Other3.4%

Education (25+)

29.9%

25%

33.1%

No HS diploma12%

HS diploma29.9%

Some college25%

Bachelor's+33.1%

Housing tenure

48%

52%

Owner48%

Renter52%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Wilmington, DE has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,250 → $1,872

up 49.8%

Income

$49,354 → $58,671

up 18.9%

Population

70,926 → 71,727

up 1.1%

Renter share

56.3% → 52%

-4.3 pts

Bachelor's+

30.6% → 33.1%

+2.5 pts

Median age

36.3 → 37

+0.7 yrs

The median rent in Wilmington, DE stood at $1,250 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,872, reflecting a 49.8% 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.

Community

Discussions about Wilmington

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View Wilmington rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Wilmington on your salary?

At $1,872/mo, how Wilmington rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 23.3% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 32.8% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 28.5% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 15.9% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 12.5% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 35.1% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 38.8% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 31.5% income

stretched

By apartment size

Wilmington rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Wilmington

About renting in Wilmington, DE

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Wilmington is $1,872/mo as of July 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 38% of local median household income ($58,671/yr), Wilmington ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Wilmington an affordable city for renters?

Wilmington is considered moderate for renters. At $1,872/mo, rent takes approximately 38% of the local median household income ($58,671/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Wilmington slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Wilmington?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $75,000/year (~$36/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,872/mo in Wilmington. The local median household income is $58,671/yr, meaning the typical Wilmington household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Wilmington?

Rent in Wilmington has increased 8.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Wilmington neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Wilmington are 19802 ($1,546/mo), 19809 ($1,640/mo), and 19805 ($1,670/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Wilmington is $1,872/mo.

How does Wilmington rent compare to other cities in Delaware?

Wilmington is one of the more affordable cities in Delaware for rent, ranking #6 out of 9 tracked cities at $1,872/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wilmington?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Wilmington ($1,872/mo): Claymont ($1,628/mo), Marcus Hook ($1,704/mo), New Castle ($1,747/mo).

What percentage of Wilmington residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52% of Wilmington households are renters, while 48% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Wilmington has a strong rental market.

How does Wilmington rent compare to the national average?

Wilmington's median rent of $1,872/mo is $93 (5%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Delaware, it ranks #6 out of 9 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

38%

MODERATE

At $1,872/mo, rent takes ~38% of Wilmington's median household income ($58,671/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Wilmington 38%Benchmark 30%

State income tax2.2–6.6%

Run the Wilmington affordability calculator →

Nearby cities