The Delaware rental market
Delaware tracks median rent across 9 cities, ranging from New Castle at $1,682/mo to Middletown at $2,705/mo. The state average of $2,028/mo runs about 5% above the national median of $1,932/mo.
Across Delaware cities, rents are rising, changing an average of +4.3% over the past year. 5 of 10 tracked cities are priced above the national median, while 5 fall below it. The largest rental markets are Wilmington, Dover, Newark.
What the numbers show
Rent fell in 1 of 9 Delaware cities Zillow tracks over the year to September 2026, and rose in the rest.
3 cities are at the highest rent in at least three years of Zillow records. See the list.
Among cities with 15,000+ residents, Middletown ($2,705/mo) costs 1.6 times as much as Dover ($1,702/mo).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Delaware cities, as of September 2026.
Delaware rent questions
What is the average rent in Delaware?
The average median rent across 9 tracked cities in Delaware is $2,028/mo, about 5% above the national median of $1,932/mo.
Which Delaware city has the highest rent?
Middletown has the highest median rent in Delaware at $2,705/mo.
Which Delaware city has the most affordable rent?
New Castle is the most affordable tracked city in Delaware, with a median rent of $1,682/mo.
Are rents rising or falling in Delaware?
Across Delaware cities, median rents are rising, changing an average of +4.3% over the past year.
How does Delaware rent compare to the rest of the country?
5 of 10 tracked Delaware cities have a median rent above the national median of $1,932/mo, and 5 fall below it.
What are the largest rental markets in Delaware?
By population, the largest rental markets in Delaware are Wilmington, Dover, Newark. Each has its own rent data, trends, and ZIP-level breakdowns on RentDataNow.