Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Wilmington, DE?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.8% of gross income.

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

Wilmington median rent
$1,872/mo
Plumber salary (Delaware)
$68,442/yr
Rent as % of income
32.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,704, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,711/mo in rent. Wilmington's median rent of $1,872 exceeds that threshold by $161/mo, putting a plumber salary into the rent-burdened range here. A plumber works roughly 56.9 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a plumber salary

Plumber pay sits comfortably above the US median household income and covers affordable rent in most US metros. At the national-average plumber salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,678 a month in rent. The per-city pages combine local rent with local plumber-pay estimates so renters can see where the math works.

Cheaper rent nearby

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

New Castle, DE
$1,747/mo (30.6% of income)
New Castle, DE
$1,726/mo (30.3% of income)
Dover, DE
$1,726/mo (30.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Wilmington

View full rent data for Wilmington, DE

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Wilmington, DE?

Median rent in Wilmington is $1,872 a month. A typical plumber in Delaware earns about $68,442 a year, which makes that rent 32.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a plumber afford in Wilmington?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Delaware (~$68,442/yr) supports up to $1,711 a month in rent. Wilmington's current median rent is $1,872/mo, which is $161/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a plumber in Delaware works roughly 56.9 hours a month to cover Wilmington's median rent of $1,872.

Where is rent cheaper than Wilmington for a plumber?

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 plumber 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.