Can A Dental Hygienist Afford Rent in Wilmington, DE?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.2% of gross income.

Wilmington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Delaware state estimate).

Wilmington median rent
$1,872/mo
Dental Hygienist salary (Delaware)
$89,260/yr
Rent as % of income
25.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $7,438, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,232/mo in rent. Wilmington's median rent of $1,872 leaves roughly $360/mo of headroom under that threshold. A dental hygienist works roughly 43.6 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a dental hygienist salary

Dental hygienist pay covers comfortable rent in most US metros. At the national-average dental-hygienist salary, the 30% rule supports about $2,188 a month in rent, which is above the median in most cities.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Delaware cities have lower median rent than Wilmington, which improves the affordability math on a dental hygienist salary:

New Castle, DE
$1,747/mo (23.5% of income)
New Castle, DE
$1,726/mo (23.2% of income)
Dover, DE
$1,726/mo (23.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Wilmington

View full rent data for Wilmington, DE

Frequently asked questions

Can a dental hygienist afford rent in Wilmington, DE?

Median rent in Wilmington is $1,872 a month. A typical dental hygienist in Delaware earns about $89,260 a year, which makes that rent 25.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a dental hygienist afford in Wilmington?

Using the 30% rule, a dental hygienist salary in Delaware (~$89,260/yr) supports up to $2,232 a month in rent. Wilmington's current median rent is $1,872/mo, which leaves a $360/mo buffer.

How many hours does a dental hygienist work to cover rent in Wilmington?

At an hourly equivalent of about $43 an hour, a dental hygienist in Delaware works roughly 43.6 hours a month to cover Wilmington's median rent of $1,872.

Where is rent cheaper than Wilmington for a dental hygienist?

Nearby Delaware cities with lower median rent include New Castle ($1,747/mo), New Castle ($1,726/mo), Dover ($1,726/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental hygienist salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Delaware state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Wilmington, DE. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.