Compare states / Delaware
DE
Compare Delaware with other states
With about 1.1 million residents, Delaware is the 6th-least populous state (549 people per square mile). Its top income-tax rate of 6.6% is the 12th-highest among the 50 states; it is one of 4 states with no general sales tax. The median home value, $410,545, ranks 20th-highest of 50.
Data: Delaware (revenue.delaware.gov, dmv.de.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 6.6% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 0.00% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.54% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No annual vehicle personal-property tax |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $15.00. |
| Median home value | $410,545 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 4.25% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $35.00 |
| Registration (base) | $40.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 17 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 0 |
| Population | 1,069,781 |
| Population density | 549.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 58.9% White (non-Hispanic) 10.5% Hispanic 24.2% Black 4.3% Asian |
| Violent crime | 360.8 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in Delaware
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 6.6%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in Delaware
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 4.25% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in Delaware
- Get a DE driver license within 60 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in Delaware.
- Title and register the car within 60 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Delaware elections site.
- Nurse license: Delaware is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in Delaware: August 31. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How Delaware compares
Top listed income-tax rate: 6.6% in Delaware vs 13.3% in California (lower in Delaware).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include Delaware are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. Delaware does not tax Social Security benefits (DE tax agency).
- Estate tax. Delaware has no state estate tax (DE tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Delaware has no state inheritance tax (DE tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Delaware $15.00.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. Delaware 4.25%.
- State parks. Delaware 17. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; DE 0).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (DE).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. Delaware 60 days.
- Days to title a car. Delaware 60 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled