Delaware vs Virginia Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$72,745
in Delaware
$73,386
in Virginia
Each cell = 1% of purchasing power. Green = value, red = gap.
Spending breakdown
Estimated annual spending on a $75,000 salary
What things actually cost
Real dollar costs side by side
Category breakdown
| Category | Delaware | Virginia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 102.3 | 106.7 | -4% |
| Groceries | 101.3 | 99.7 | +2% |
| Utilities | 97.6 | 97.5 | 0% |
| Transportation | 100.6 | 95.5 | +5% |
| Healthcare | 103.9 | 107.6 | -3% |
| Dining & Misc | 106.3 | 101.5 | +5% |
| Overall | 103.1 | 102.2 | +1% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in Delaware.
What things actually cost
| Item | Delaware | Virginia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $340,000 | $380,000 | $40,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,432/mo | $1,494/mo | $62 |
| Gas price | $3.38/gal | $3.32/gal | +$0.06 |
| Electric bill | $120/mo | $94/mo | +$26 |
| Infant childcare | $16,220/yr | $14,277/yr | +$1,943 |
Salary equivalent: Delaware → Virginia
What a Delaware salary buys you in Virginia, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in Delaware | Equivalent in Virginia | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49,564 | +$436 |
| $75,000 | $74,345 | +$655 |
| $100,000 | $99,127 | +$873 |
| $150,000 | $148,691 | +$1,309 |
| $200,000 | $198,254 | +$1,746 |
Positive = your money goes further in Virginia. Based on overall COL index ratio.
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices. Dollar amounts from AAA, EIA, Zillow, and Child Care Aware.
Overview
Delaware and Virginia have nearly identical costs of living, with overall indices of 103.1 and 102.2 (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Delaware or Virginia?
Delaware and Virginia have roughly the same cost of living, with less than 1% difference in the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Is Virginia cheaper than Delaware?
Delaware and Virginia cost roughly the same to live in.
Is Delaware more expensive than Virginia?
Delaware and Virginia have nearly identical costs of living — the difference is less than 1%.
What salary in Virginia equals $100,000 in Delaware?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in Delaware, you would need approximately $99,127 in Virginia. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (103.1 vs 102.2).
How do housing costs compare between Delaware and Virginia?
Housing is significantly cheaper in Delaware. Median home prices are $340,000 in Delaware vs $380,000 in Virginia — a $40,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,432/mo vs $1,494/mo.
What costs more in Delaware vs Virginia?
Transportation is 5% higher in Delaware (index 100.6 vs 95.5). Dining & Misc is 5% higher in Delaware (index 106.3 vs 101.5). Housing is 4% lower in Delaware (index 102.3 vs 106.7).
Is gas cheaper in Delaware or Virginia?
Gas averages $3.38/gallon in Delaware and $3.32/gallon in Virginia — a $0.06 difference per gallon.
Delaware vs Virginia cost of living — how do they compare?
Delaware has an overall cost-of-living index of 103.1 and Virginia has 102.2 (national average = 100). They are nearly identical. Use the calculator above to see how this affects your specific salary.
How do taxes compare between Delaware and Virginia?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. Delaware has no state sales tax, making it popular for shopping, and uses a progressive income tax up to 6.60%. Virginia uses a progressive income tax with a top rate of 5.75% on income above $17,001. Use the Delaware vs Virginia paycheck comparison to see how a specific salary compares after federal and state taxes, FICA, and deductions.
Do I need to file state tax returns in Delaware and Virginia?
Delaware requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. Virginia requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there.
Where does this cost of living data come from?
Cost-of-living indices are from the MERIC/C2ER 2025 Annual Average. Dollar amounts use AAA gas prices (March 2025), EIA electricity rates (2024), Child Care Aware childcare costs (2024), Zillow home values (2024-2025), and BEA Regional Price Parities.
Related tools
- Delaware Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Virginia Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Delaware vs Virginia Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- House Affordability in Delaware — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in Virginia — How much house can you afford?
- Delaware Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Virginia Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Delaware Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Virginia Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Delaware Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Virginia Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Compare any two states
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices and publicly available price data. Cost of living varies significantly by metro area within a state. These are statewide averages.