If you are considering a move to Delaware County, PA, the first question you probably have is: What does it actually cost to live here? The honest answer is that Delco sits slightly above the national average in overall cost of living, with a BestPlaces index score of 106.9 — meaning everyday expenses run about 7% higher than the typical U.S. city. But the relative affordability compared to nearby Philadelphia and the quality of life you get in return makes it one of the most popular suburban choices in southeastern Pennsylvania.
This guide breaks down every major cost category — housing, property taxes, utilities, transportation, and groceries — and compares Delco to the surrounding areas newcomers most often cross-shop: Philadelphia, Wilmington, and South Jersey.
Housing Costs in Delaware County
Housing is the biggest piece of the puzzle, and it is where Delco shines compared to Philadelphia. The median home value in Delaware County hovers around $332,200, according to BestPlaces data. That buys you a single-family home with a yard, driveway, and quiet street — the kind of space that would cost $500,000 or more in many Philadelphia neighborhoods.
For renters, monthly costs for a single person range from about $1,100 to $1,400 for a one-bedroom apartment or the equivalent portion of a larger rental. A family's total monthly cost of living (including housing, food, transportation, and healthcare) is estimated at roughly $4,800 per month, while a single person can expect about $4,067 per month.
If you are buying a $500,000 home in Delaware County with a 30-year mortgage at current rates (around 6.7%), your monthly payment including principal, interest, and property taxes can run approximately $4,400 per month. That is a steep number, but it reflects a well-above-median home. For most homebuyers in the $300,000 to $400,000 range, the monthly payment is significantly more manageable — generally $2,000 to $3,000 depending on your down payment and interest rate.
Property Taxes — The Biggest Surprise for Newcomers
This is where Delaware County catches many transplants off guard. Property taxes in Delco are high — roughly double the national median. The median annual property tax bill in Delaware County is approximately $5,963 to $6,124, with an effective tax rate of about 1.84%. Some estimates place it even higher, near 2.81% depending on the specific municipality and school district within the county.
To put that in perspective, the national median property tax bill is about $2,869. Delaware County's median is more than double that figure. The county itself levies a real estate tax of about $802 per year on a median-valued home, and school district taxes — particularly in well-funded districts like Chichester, Penn-Delco, and Garnet Valley — add substantial millage on top.
Why are taxes so high? Pennsylvania relies heavily on property taxes to fund public schools, and Delaware County has several high-performing districts with correspondingly higher tax bases. The trade-off is that you get strong public schools and well-maintained municipal services — but you should absolutely factor property taxes into your monthly housing budget when you are comparing homes.
Utilities and Everyday Expenses
Utilities in the Philadelphia metro area — which includes Delaware County — run about 9% above the national average. Monthly utility bills for a typical Pennsylvania household range from $140 to $320, depending on the size of the home, the season, and whether you heat with gas or electric. Winters push those numbers higher, especially in older homes with less efficient heating systems, so budget for seasonal swings.
Groceries in the broader Philadelphia and Delaware County area cost roughly 4% to 18% above the national average, depending on the source and where you shop. National chains like Acme, ShopRite, and Wegmans are well-represented across Delco, and Aldi and Lidl offer budget-friendly alternatives. If you shop smart, you can keep your grocery costs near the national average.
Healthcare costs in Pennsylvania generally track close to the national average, with the Philadelphia metro area being slightly above. Delaware County is well-served by Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Riddle Hospital, and other regional health systems.
Transportation Costs
Transportation is one area where Delaware County offers real savings over city living — if you plan your commute wisely. SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) runs extensive bus and Regional Rail service throughout Delco. A monthly SEPTA transit pass costs about $116, which covers all bus, trolley, and subway travel. A Regional Rail pass (Zone 3, which covers Boothwyn-area stations like Highland Avenue and Marcus Hook) costs more — roughly $200 per month — but gives you a comfortable ride directly to Center City stations without traffic.
If you drive, gasoline costs in Pennsylvania are generally on par with or slightly below the national average. The biggest transportation savings for Delco residents versus Philadelphia is parking. Downtown Philadelphia parking can run $15 to $30 per day — or $300 to $600 per month for a garage spot. In Delaware County, you park in your own driveway for free.
Overall, transportation costs across the region run about 7% above the national average, but your actual costs depend on your commute mode. A SEPTA bus rider or Regional Rail commuter will spend far less than someone who drives into Center City daily and pays for parking.
How Delaware County Compares to Nearby Areas
Delaware County vs. Philadelphia
Philadelphia's overall cost of living index is about 7% to 14% above the national average, depending on the neighborhood — higher than Delco's roughly 7% above average. Housing in Philadelphia is 8% to 15% above national average, and groceries in Philadelphia run about 18% above average (compared to Delco's 4% to 18% range). The city offers better public transit access, which can reduce transportation costs for those who live and work within the city. But for families seeking space, a yard, and good schools, Delaware County wins on bang for your buck almost every time. A home in Delco typically gives you 30% to 50% more square footage for the same price as a comparable Philadelphia rowhome or condo.
Delaware County vs. Wilmington, DE
Wilmington's cost of living is about 12.4% above the national average — higher than Delaware County's. The big difference is property taxes. Delaware has one of the lowest effective property tax rates in the country — about 0.59%, roughly one-third of Delaware County's rate. That means a $332,200 home in Delaware County pays about $6,100 in property taxes, while the same home in Wilmington would pay roughly $1,960. That is a savings of about $4,100 per year.
However, Delaware has no sales tax — Pennsylvania's is 6% — which adds up on big purchases. And Delaware County's proximity to Philadelphia (a shorter commute than Wilmington offers) is a factor many buyers weigh heavily. For commuters who work in Philadelphia, living in Wilmington means a roughly 45-to-60-minute Regional Rail ride compared to 30 to 45 minutes from Delco. The trade-off between lower property taxes and a longer commute is one every buyer has to run their own numbers on.
Delaware County vs. South Jersey
Communities across the Delaware River in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties of South Jersey generally offer lower home prices and lower property tax rates than Delaware County. Housing in many South Jersey suburbs is priced $250,000 to $350,000 for similar square footage that would cost $300,000 to $400,000 in Delco.
But there are trade-offs. New Jersey has a state income tax that ranges from 1.4% to 10.75% depending on income — Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% income tax. New Jersey also has a higher sales tax at 6.625% versus Pennsylvania's 6%. And when you factor in the commute, many South Jersey towns are farther from Center City Philadelphia than comparable Delco suburbs, or they involve crossing bridges with tolls (the Ben Franklin Bridge is $5.00 each way for non-commuters, though commuter plans reduce this).
Overall, South Jersey can be more affordable on the surface, but the higher income and sales tax burden can eat into those savings, especially for higher-earning households. Delaware County often offers the best balance of commute time, tax burden, and home value for Philadelphia-area professionals.
| Category | Delaware County, PA | Philadelphia, PA | Wilmington, DE | South Jersey (Burlington/Camden/Gloucester) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 106.9 (7% above national avg) | 107-114 (7-14% above) | 112.4 (12.4% above) | Marginaly below Delco |
| Median Home Value | ~$332,200 | ~$250,000 (condos/rowhomes) | ~$250,000-325,000 | ~$280,000-350,000 |
| Effective Property Tax Rate | ~1.84% (high) | ~1.4% (moderate) | ~0.59% (very low) | ~2.0-2.5% (high) |
| Median Property Tax Bill | ~$5,963/year | ~$3,500/year | ~$1,960/year | ~$6,500-8,000/year |
| State Income Tax | Flat 3.07% | Flat 3.07% | 2.2%-6.6% (progressive) | 1.4%-10.75% (progressive) |
| Sales Tax | 6% | 8% (includes city tax) | 0% (no sales tax) | 6.625% |
| Avg Monthly Utilities | $140-320 | $130-300 | $140-310 | $140-300 |
| Commute to Center City | 20-55 min (depends on mode) | Within city (10-30 min transit) | 45-60 min (Regional Rail) | 25-60 min (varies by town) |
What Newcomers Ask Most About Delco's Cost of Living
"Is Delaware County more expensive than the national average?"
Yes, but only moderately. The overall cost of living index of 106.9 means Delco is about 7% above the national average. For context, many desirable metro areas in the Northeast run 10% to 30% above average. Delaware County offers a relatively moderate cost premium, especially given its proximity to Philadelphia, its strong schools, and its suburban amenities. The two biggest cost drivers are housing (pushed up by demand from Philadelphia commuters) and property taxes (pushed up by school district funding needs). Everyday costs like utilities, groceries, and gasoline are only slightly above average.
"Can I afford a home in Delaware County on a typical salary?"
Delaware County's median household income is roughly $80,000 to $85,000, which comfortably supports a $300,000 to $350,000 home purchase with a conventional mortgage. First-time homebuyer programs through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and various local down payment assistance programs can help bridge the gap. Many newcomers from higher-cost areas find Delco refreshingly affordable — moving from New York, Washington DC, or even Boston, you will see your dollar go significantly further in Delaware County.
The key is budgeting for property taxes, which can add $400 to $600 per month to your housing costs in Delco versus what you would pay in a low-tax state. If you are moving from a state with low property taxes (like Delaware, or parts of the South), prepare for this adjustment.
The Bottom Line on Cost of Living in Delaware County
Delaware County is not the cheapest place to live in Pennsylvania, but it offers some of the best value in the Philadelphia metro area for homebuyers who want space, schools, and a reasonable commute. You pay a premium over national averages — about 7% overall — but that premium buys you a single-family home with a yard, access to top-rated public schools, parks and recreation, and a 20-to-50-minute commute to one of America's major job markets.
The two numbers to focus on when you budget for Delco: median home value of $332,200 and median property tax bill of roughly $6,000 per year. Those two figures will drive most of your cost-of-living calculation. Everything else — utilities, groceries, transportation — is within a few percentage points of what you would pay anywhere in the Northeast.
Compared to Philadelphia, you get more space and better schools for a similar or lower overall cost. Compared to Wilmington, you pay higher property taxes but enjoy a shorter commute to Philadelphia. Compared to South Jersey, you face a lower income tax but higher property taxes — and a commute without bridge tolls. For most buyers, Delaware County hits the sweet spot.
Andre Richardson
Realtor · HomeSmart Realty Advisors · PA RS349905 · NJ 1969348
Whether you are relocating from another state or just starting your home search in Delaware County, I can help you run the real numbers — taxes, commute costs, utility estimates, and everything in between. 115 Louise Dr in Upper Chichester is a great example of the value Delco offers: a spacious 4-bedroom, 3-bath home with easy I-95 access, Chichester schools, and a realistic property tax bill that fits in a balanced budget.