How much does it cost to live in Delaware?
The cost of living is the amount of money required to maintain one's standard of living. The cost of living includes things like housing, food, transportation, clothing, taxes, entertainment, equipment, and education expenses. Living in Delaware costs about the same as it does in the United States as a whole. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the state's products and services cost just 1.2% less than the national average. Delaware has the 18th highest overall cost of living when compared to all other states.
Living in densely populated urban locations is generally more expensive than living in more rural places, but this is not always the case. There is only one metropolitan area in Delaware. The cost of goods and services in the Dover metro area is 7.8% lower than the national average and 6.6% lower than the statewide average.
Cost of Living Parameters
Housing & Rent
When compared to the national average, Delaware’s housing prices are considered fairly affordable, with the average home costing $244,700. According to the National Association of Realtors, this is less than two-thirds of the national average home price of $408,000. The average renter in Delaware pays $1,110 per month for housing, which is more than the national median of $1,023 per month.
Renters account for 28.9% of all occupied residences in the state, which is lower than the national average of 36.2% and the sixth lowest of any state.
Here are some stats on Delaware Mortgages:
- Homeownership rate is 72.3%
- Homeowner vacancy rate is 0.4%
- Rental vacancy rate is 3.0%
Childcare
Child care costs contribute thousands of dollars to a family's annual budget. Delaware's average annual child care expenditure for a 4-year-old child is $8,786, which is similar to the national average of $8,903. In Delaware, it costs an average of $13,972 a year to care for a four-year-old child and an eight-year-old child.
Here’s a look at the average annual childcare costs from infant to college:
- Infant: $11,021
- 4-Year-Old: $8,876
- School: $11,278
- College: $9,999
Utilities
Apartment utilities refer to the essential services required in a home such as gas, water, electricity, cable, and internet. A Delawarean resident can expect to spend up to $414 per month on apartment utilities on average.
Food & Groceries
A single adult in Delaware spends an average of $3,336 on food each year, while a family of four spends an average of $9,634.
The average price for eating out would be:
A basic meal with a drink at an inexpensive restaurant: $25.00
Fast Food Combo (Big Mac etc.): $7.50
Bottle of Coca-Cola: $1.88
Bottle of Water: $1.25
Grocery shopping in the state would cost as follows:
Milk (regular), (1 liter) : $1.03
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g): $1.93
Rice (1 Kg):$7.72
Eggs (regular) (12): $1.59
4 Rolls of toilet paper: $7.59
Hair Shampoo: $6
Transportation
Commuters in Delaware drive 89.2%, compared to 85.5% overall. The average motorist in the state travels 10,936 miles per year. Taking into account average fuel economy and average gas prices (standard gasoline in Delaware cost an average of $2.27 per gallon in mid-2020), the average Delaware driver can expect to spend $1,026 on petrol alone in a year.
Other transportation costs, such as car insurance prices, can differ from one state to the next. According to data from Insure.com, the average vehicle insurance rate in Delaware is $1,620, which is more than the national average of $1,517. According to EPI data, the average single adult in the state spends $9,755 on transportation each year.
The annual transportation fee of a Family is $13.353 which is more expensive than the annual transportation cost in the US.
Average Income & Taxes
The average yearly income of a single adult living in Delaware is $62,391 and the estimated state income tax ranges between 2.20% and 6.60%.
Most Expensive Delaware Cities to Live in
- Bethany Beach
- Rehoboth Beach
- Lewes
- Selbyville
- Ocean View
Why is disability insurance important to have in Delaware?
As shown by the above cost of living study, a steady income is required to live comfortably and worry-free. Whether you work full-time or as a freelancer, getting disability insurance is the first step towards financial stability.
What would happen if you found yourself unable to earn a paycheck because you were too ill or injured to work? According to a recent survey conducted by the personal financial website Bankrate, more than half of Americans (51%) have less than three months' worth of emergency funds.
Medical bills are reported to be the number one cause of U.S. bankruptcies. One study has claimed that 62.1% of bankruptcies were caused by medical issues. Other studies show that over 2 million people are adversely affected by their medical expenses.
If medical bills start piling up, you’ll no longer be able to support your lifestyle in other areas as well, especially if your income is on hold. You might find yourself unable to pay for utilities and rent, and that eventually could lead to foreclosure. Half of the foreclosures on conventional mortgages in Delaware are caused by the disability of one of the homeowners. In fact, according to the Sofi, one out of every 1,705 dwelling units in Delaware had a foreclosure filing in the first quarter of 2021.
A lot of people still think that the need for disability insurance is not top priority, thinking that disability rarely happens, and when it does, it’s only caused by serious accidents. But did you know that up to 90% of disability cases recorded are due to illness, not injury?
With that being said, getting a private disability income insurance should be on top of your to-do list because life is unpredictable but your income shouldn’t be.
Does Delaware have state disability insurance?
Only 5 states in the U.S. require companies to provide their employees with disability insurance coverage that includes benefits for accidents or illnesses sustained outside of the workplace. Unfortunately, Delaware is not among these states.
If you live in Delaware and are unable to work due to a disability, disease, or debilitating condition, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. You can apply for federal disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) if you live in Delaware. If you meet the SSA’s requirements for disability, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Delaware, like the majority of states, supplements the federal SSI payment for disabled individuals with an additional monthly payment.
However, When compared to the national average, people who attend an appeals hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in Delaware have a reduced likelihood of receiving disability payments. In Delaware, there is just one hearing office and five judges who attend reviews. This results in a massive backlog of denied applicants awaiting a hearing, increasing the amount of time an individual must wait.
What qualifies as disability in Delaware?
f you have disability insurance provided by your employer, make sure to double check the criteria in the agreement that qualifies you to receive disability benefits when you’re unable to work. Some of these criteria can include the following:
- You are unable to perform the Substantial and Material Duties of your Regular Occupation as shown on the Schedule and;
- You are under the Regular Care of a Physician appropriate for your disabling Sickness or Injury and;
- There is no reasonable simplified worksite modification(s) that would allow you to perform one or more of the Substantial and Material Duties of your regular job.
How can I easily get disability insurance in Delaware?
Seeking a private disability insurance policy is the easiest option in Delaware. Here at Asteya, we offer disability insurance (or disability income insurance as we like to call it) that’s simple, fast, and affordable. Our 100% digital process means we don’t tire you out with proof of income, medical exams, phone interviews, or wait times, so you can go from applicant to insured in no time.
Who qualifies for disability insurance in Delaware?
Most insurances are bought to protect homes, vehicles, and health, but our most valuable asset tends to get neglected: our income. 70% of working Americans live paycheck to paycheck, with little savings to buffer the financial burden of a disability that leaves them unable to work.
At Asteya, we offer 2 types of disability income insurance: Permanent Disability Income Insurance and Sickness & Injury Disability Income Insurance. Please visit asteya.world for more details on the eligibility of our product offering.
How much does disability insurance in Delaware cost?
Protecting your income shouldn’t be a luxury, so here at Asteya, we’ve created affordable and easy solutions that won’t drain what you’re trying to protect (your income!). Our prices start as low as:
- Permanent Disability Income Insurance: starting at $6.05/month
- Long-Term Disability Income Insurance: starting at is $5/month
The bottom line
On average, living in the state of Delaware will cost you $2000 per month, give or take – that’s a lot of expenses! You've invested a lot of time and hard work in building a life that works for you, and your hard work should not go to waste due to an accident or illness. That’s why you should protect your lifestyle and your income with DI.
If you're still on the fence about whether disability income insurance is for you (hint: it is), here are a few extra points to consider while thinking about it:
- Asteya’s applications are 100% digital. We don't require blood tests or doctor's appointments, unlike other insurers and we'll just ask you a few minutes of questions to determine your best policy.
- Get paid out directly on an approved claim and spend without restrictions once it's in your bank account.
- We've made our Income Insurance as inclusive and accessible as possible. From corner store employee to corner office executive, our products were created to fit every budget and lifestyle.