A local Realtor’s guide to relocating to Delaware: taxes, cost of living, where to live, and how the three counties compare for out-of-state movers.

What Do I Need to Know Before Moving to Delaware?

Before moving to Delaware, the three things most out-of-state buyers want to understand are the taxes (they’re genuinely low in comparison to must states due to no sales tax and big breaks for retirees), the cost of housing (a statewide median around $365,700), and which of the three counties fits their lifestyle, both needs and wants. I help people relocate here from all over the Mid-Atlantic, and this guide covers what I wish everyone knew before they started house-hunting.

Key Takeaways:

• Delaware has no state or local sales tax — one of only a few states in the country where that’s true.
• Delaware is very tax-friendly for retirees: Social Security is fully exempt, up to $12,500 of retirement income is excluded for those 60+, and the effective property tax rate is about 0.47%, well below the national median (my YEARLY property tax is below $1700)
• The statewide median home price is about $365,700 as of mid-2026, generally more affordable than neighboring New Jersey and the Philadelphia metro.
• Delaware’s three counties feel very different — urban/commuter north (New Castle), affordable central (Kent), and the fast-growing beaches (Sussex).
• Location matters: you’re within driving distance of Philadelphia, Baltimore, D.C., and the beaches, without big-city taxes.

Why do people move to Delaware?

People move to Delaware mostly for the combination of low taxes, coastal lifestyle, and central Mid-Atlantic location. The tax piece is the headline: Delaware charges no sales tax at all, and it’s one of the friendlier states in the country for retirement income (Source: SmartAsset, Delaware Retirement Taxes, 2026). For someone leaving a high-tax state, that can meaningfully change the monthly math.

The second draw is lifestyle and location. From central Delaware you can reach Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. within a couple of hours, and the Atlantic beaches are in your own backyard. You get access to big-city jobs and amenities without paying big-city prices — the statewide median sale price is about $365,700 as of mid-2026 (Source: Houzeo Delaware Housing Market).

Is Delaware tax-friendly? (Taxes explained)

Yes! Delaware is one of the most tax-friendly states in the country, especially for retirees. Here’s how the key taxes stack up:

One honest caveat I do want to point out is that all three counties recently completed their first property reassessments in decades, which shifted some individual tax bills up or down even though rates stayed low overall. So the rate is low, but a specific home’s bill may have changed. I always help relocating buyers understand a property’s actual tax picture before they fall in love with it. The good news is that in comparison to many of our local neighboring states (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, etc), our property tax is a “night and day” difference.

Where should I live in Delaware? (County comparison)

Delaware has just three counties, and choosing between them is really about lifestyle, commute, and budget. Here’s the quick version:

Want to know more about the 3 Counties? You can get my Relocation Guide here!

How do I actually relocated to Delaware (the easy step-by-step)

Relocating from out of state goes smoothest when you sequence it like this:

• Get clear on your must-haves: commute length, budget (mortgage vs cash), beach vs. inland, new construction vs. resale, 55+ or not.
• Pick your county/region using the comparison above (or let me help you narrow it).
• Scheduling a call with me to ask questions, learn more and to get the needed details for you to make an educated decision
• Get pre-approved with a lender who understands Delaware and, if you’re moving for work, remote/relocation income.
• Plan a focused scouting trip to explore the different areas, you need to get a “feel” for what the different parts of Delaware are like
• Understand the true monthly cost of any home: taxes (post-reassessment), any HOA, and insurance (flood matters near the coast).
• Me lining up a list of homes, new construction and resale depending on what you need, in order for us to see if a Delaware house can also be called your home
• Make your offer and coordinate the timeline so your out-of-state move and closing line up.

The biggest piece of advice I give people thinking about relocating:

Here’s my honest take after helping families move here from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and beyond: the tax savings are real and often underestimated, but the bigger decision is which Delaware you want. The commuter energy of New Castle County is a different world from the retiree-and-beach rhythm of Sussex County. People who visit for a couple of focused days, rather than deciding from Zillow alone, almost always end up happier with where they land.

Because I live and work across all three counties, I can tell you not just what a home costs, but what it’s actually like to live there: the commute at 8 a.m., which towns flood, who has the best pizza (and its not grottos 😉), and which “up-and-coming” areas are worth it. The locals understanding is the part you can’t get from a listing photo.

Thinking about a move to Delaware? Let’s talk

Relocating is a big move, and I’m happy to be your local sounding board, even if you’re months out. Reach out for a no-pressure relocation chat, and I’ll help you figure out which part of Delaware fits your life and budget.

About the author: Austin Gardner is a Realtor with the Loft Team at Myers Realty, specializing in helping out-of-state and relocating buyers find their footing across Delaware — from the New Castle County suburbs to the Sussex County beaches. Learn more about Austin.

Other helpful links:

Start your home search here

Why you should retire to Delaware: 2025 edition

5 Reasons you should call Milford home