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Best Cities for Rental Property in Delaware

2 Delaware cities ranked by estimated cap rate. The average cap rate across Delaware markets is 4.1%, with median home prices averaging $370K and rents averaging $1,775/mo. Wilmington leads with a 4.2% cap rate at a $375K median price. Delaware's low average property tax rate of 0.56% gives investors a significant cash flow advantage.

4.1%
Avg Cap Rate
$370K
Avg Price
$1,775/mo
Avg Rent
2
Cities Tracked

Delaware Rental Market Analysis

Delaware offers 2 investable rental markets tracked by CapRateCity. The state average cap rate of 4.1% is above the 3.81% national average, making Delaware an attractive state for cash flow investors. No cities pass the 1% rule at median prices, so value-add strategies are essential.

Prices and rents: Delaware home prices average $370K, which is 11% above the national average of $333K. Rents average $1,775/mo. The most affordable entry point is Dover at $365K, while Wilmington offers the highest cap rate at 4.2%.

Taxes and costs: Property taxes average 0.56% across Delaware, below the 1.08% national average — a meaningful cash flow advantage that adds roughly $1,943 per year to NOI on an average-priced property. Dover has the lowest rate at 0.55%.Vacancy averages 5.8%, in line with national norms.

Growth outlook: Population growth across Delaware averages 0.35% per year, led by Dover at 0.5%. Home values are appreciating at 2.4% annually on average. Moderate growth provides a stable demand foundation.

Bottom line: Delaware offers moderate opportunities for rental investors. The best deals are in cities at the top of the ranking — use the calculators on each city page to model specific properties.

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How Delaware Compares to National Averages

Metric
Delaware
National Avg
Avg Cap Rate
4.1%
3.8%
Avg Home Price
$370K
$333K
Avg Rent
$1,775/mo
$1,524/mo
Property Tax
0.56%
1.08%
Vacancy Rate
5.8%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.35%/yr
0.92%/yr

Delaware Cities by Cap Rate Tier

4% – 5% (1)3% – 4% (1)

All 2 Delaware Cities Ranked

1
Wilmington, DE4.2% cap rate
$375K median$1,860/mo rent0.56% tax0.2% growth
2
Dover, DE3.9% cap rate
$365K median$1,690/mo rent0.55% tax0.5% growth

Other Northeast States

New York (24 cities · 4.2% avg)Pennsylvania (30 cities · 3.8% avg)Maine (4 cities · 3.5% avg)Massachusetts (8 cities · 3.0% avg)Connecticut (8 cities · 2.9% avg)Vermont (3 cities · 2.6% avg)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Delaware a good state for rental property investing?
Delaware has an average cap rate of 4.1% across 2 cities, which is above the national average of 3.81%. The best-performing city is Wilmington at 4.2%. Average home prices of $370K are above the national average. Property taxes at 0.56% are investor-friendly.
What is the best city to buy rental property in Delaware?
Wilmington leads Delaware with a 4.2% cap rate, $375K median price, and $1,860/mo rent. The best city depends on your strategy — cash flow investors should look at the top of this ranking, while growth-focused investors may prefer Dover (0.5% population growth). Use the calculators on each city page to model specific deals.
What are property taxes like in Delaware?
Property taxes in Delaware average 0.56%, which is below the 1.08% national average. The lowest rate is in Dover at 0.55%. On an average-priced home of $370K, annual taxes are approximately $2,054.
How many Delaware cities pass the 1% rule?
0 of 2 Delaware cities (0%) pass the 1% rule at median prices. None pass at median prices, meaning investors should target below-median properties or use value-add strategies to improve returns. The 1% rule says monthly rent should be at least 1% of purchase price.

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