Delaware
Delaware Provides Middle-Class Americans Plenty of Average-Priced Home Options Right Now
While most Americans fear that the dream of owning a home is all but over, Delaware offers new hope, especially for middle-class homebuyers.
With its mix of coastal charm, tax advantages, and manageable home prices, the First State is quietly becoming a haven for those seeking to buy without breaking the bank.
And so the American dream lives on!
Delaware’s home prices are well within reach for most
Middle-class Americans in Delaware bring in a median household income of $79,325, or roughly $6,610 per month, according to SmartAsset analysis of 2023 income data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
With a comfortable mortgage budget of $1,983 per month—based on the widely recommended 30% income threshold—buyers in this bracket can afford a home priced around $396,422.
The good news? Delaware’s median home price is $369,900, according to the latest Realtor.com® data. That puts average-priced homes within reach for many middle-class households, a rare feat in today’s market. The affordability alignment between income and housing costs positions Delaware as one of the few states where the numbers genuinely work for middle-income earners.
What’s more, Delaware’s low property taxes and absence of a sales tax further enhance affordability, stretching household budgets in ways that few other states can.
Coastal Living Without the Premium Price Tag
One of Delaware’s most compelling features is its access to the Atlantic coastline—without the high price premiums typically associated with beach towns.
Places like Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, and Bethany Beach offer picturesque living that’s far more attainable than similar locales in neighboring states. However, the beach life isn’t as attainable for the average working family in the state.
But if you look to inland towns like Milford and Seaford, you’ll find home prices well within a middle-class budget, offering a mix of new construction and well loved properties. While you may not get sunset views over the oceans, these towns have walkable downtowns, family-friendly amenities, and easy commutes to the ocean for a day away.
Moreover, the growing development in Kent and Sussex counties provides even more opportunities for affordable housing near nature trails, waterways, and recreational spots—all without the big-city price tags.
Retiree Appeal Is Boosting Infrastructure—And Opportunity
Delaware’s growing popularity among retirees has led to an unexpected benefit for middle-class buyers: enhanced infrastructure. As 55+ communities and age-friendly neighborhoods spring up, the surrounding areas are seeing upgrades in everything from healthcare to public transit to retail.
This rising tide of investment helps make smaller communities more livable for families and professionals alike. And with many retirees selling higher-priced homes in other states to downsize in Delaware, the housing turnover has created a steady stream of inventory that helps moderate price pressure.
As other markets overheat or freeze up entirely, Delaware strikes a rare balance—affordable, accessible, and increasingly appealing for middle-class Americans looking to make home ownership a reality.
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Delaware
PennDOT, hardware stores prepare for first snow of season in Delaware Valley
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Crews and customers across the Delaware Valley are gearing up for the region’s first accumulating snowfall of the season, expected late Saturday into Sunday morning.
PennDOT says it has more than 100,000 tons of salt ready and plans to deploy over 400 trucks across the region for this event.
Road crews began brining operations Friday, which will continue through the weekend with plowing on Sunday.
READ MORE | Accuweather Alert: Light snow to blanket the region Saturday night into Sunday morning
“Maybe 1 to 3, maybe a little bit more depending on how the storm tracks,” said Brad Rudolph of PennDOT.
He added that timing is key with the snow beginning to fall on Saturday night, while many may be out and about, and with thousands expected to travel to Lincoln Financial Field Sunday for the Eagles game against the Raiders.
Preps underway for first snow of the season in Delaware Valley
“People are going to travel, they’re going to need to take it slow. We’re going to push back snow from travel lanes, we’ll make the roads passable. They may not be completely clear of snow and ice, something to consider,” Rudolph said. “We expect this storm to push out relatively early Sunday, well before that Eagles game, but we still might have some cleaning up to do. We’ll be working long after this snow is done.”
At Stanley’s Hardware in Roxborough, workers spent Friday unpacking boxes and moving thousands of pounds of salt and other supplies to fill commercial and individual orders.
“Our aisle is filled right now. We have tons of skids of rock salt, ice melter, shovels,” said Joe Jaconski of Stanley’s Hardware.
Customers were already stocking up.
“We have food, we have shovels, just had to get some salt just to make sure we’re keeping the sidewalks nice and safe for everyone,” said Matt Skomsky of Roxborough.
Customers were steady at Stanley’s Friday, and business is expected to pick up through the weekend, but managers say don’t wait to get ready.
“I recommend just being ahead of it. Try to beat the storm because when the storm comes, it gets very busy in here-the lines wrapped around,” Jaconski said.
PennDOT urges drivers to keep their distance from plow trucks and check the forecast before heading out.
Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Delaware
Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising
Ellicott Development has expanded it local property portfolio. Ellicott’s 4628 Group Inc. purchased 695 Delaware Avenue on Wednesday for $1.025 million. Fred Kaplan Living Trust was the seller. The 8,454 sq.ft., three-story barn-like structure with mansard roofed addition is occupied by media production and marketing firm Crosswater Digital Media. It was the home of WKBW radio for a number of years. The property totals 0.4 acres in size with a large parking lot fronting Delaware Avenue.
The property is bookended by the Westbrook Apartments and Wilcox House apartment buildings, both ten-story structures. It sits across the street from 700 Delaware, the former Computer Task Group Building Ellicott purchased in 2018 and is now occupied by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
Delaware
Man, 77, dies after collision with teen driver near Hartly, police say
What to do if you come across a serious car accident
What to do if you come across a serious car accident
A 77-year-old man died following a two-car crash near Hartly on the morning of Dec. 10, Delaware State Police said.
The man, from the Dover area, has not been identified by police pending family notification.
According to police reports, the man was driving a Honda Accord east on Judith Road approaching Hartly Road about 9 a.m., as an 18-year-old woman was driving a Ford Focus south on Hartly Road approaching Judith Road.
Police reported that a preliminary investigation shows the Honda moved from the stop sign into the Ford’s path, causing a collision.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman, from Hartly, was treated at the scene. Police said she refused to be taken to a hospital.
Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.
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