Sussex County, DE at a glance
Median household income
$81,497$6,791 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in Sussex County, DE?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
How much is rent in Sussex County, DE? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Sussex County, DE, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,059 | $12,708 | $42,360 | 15.6% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,066 | $12,792 | $42,640 | 15.7% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,399 | $16,788 | $55,960 | 20.6% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,757 | $21,084 | $70,280 | 25.9% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,172 | $26,064 | $86,880 | 32% |
What a typical income covers in Sussex County, DE
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $81,497 a year ($6,791 a month before tax).
What $81,497 leaves after Delaware taxes
Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Delaware tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.
Rent, jobs and pay in Delaware
Living in Sussex County, DE: common questions
What is the median household income in Sussex County, DE?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Sussex County, DE is $81,497 per year (approximately $6,791 per month).
What is the average rent in Sussex County, DE?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,059 for a studio, $1,066 for one bedroom, $1,399 for two, $1,757 for three and $2,172 for four, utilities included.
It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.
Is Sussex County, DE expensive to live in?
Prices there run 0.2% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for Delaware is 99.8, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Sussex County, DE?
To keep a $1,399 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $55,960 a year, or $4,663 a month. That is 69% of what the typical household in Sussex County, DE earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Sussex County, DE?
On the local median income of $81,497 ($6,791 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,396 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,037 for everything else and $1,358 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,399 takes 41% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in Sussex County, DE?
Homes in Delaware paid 19.3¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $174. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.