Salary Guide · 2026
Delaware Salary Guide (2026)
This guide explains how salaries are taxed in Delaware, what take-home pay looks like at different income levels, and how cost of living affects real purchasing power across major cities.
Delaware Income Snapshot
Individual median income
$46,200
-17% vs US median
Household median income
$79,325
US Census ACS 2023
Median take-home (annual)
$37,050
Eff. rate: 19.81%
Median monthly take-home
$3,088
Single filer, 2026
Income Tax Structure in Delaware
Tax system: Progressive state income tax (2.2%–6.6%)
Delaware has one of the lowest combined tax burdens in the Northeast. There is no sales tax, and its corporate-friendly laws attract a large financial services sector.
Take-Home Pay at Popular Salary Levels
Single filer · Standard deduction · DE state tax · 2026 IRS brackets
| Gross salary | Federal tax | State tax | FICA | Take-home | Monthly | Eff. rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $70,000 | $6,754 | $3,604 | $5,355 | $54,287 | $4,524 | 22.45% |
| $100,000 | $13,354 | $5,584 | $7,650 | $73,412 | $6,118 | 26.59% |
| $140,000 | $22,514 | $8,224 | $10,710 | $98,552 | $8,213 | 29.61% |
| $190,000 | $34,514 | $11,524 | $13,958 | $130,004 | $10,834 | 31.58% |
Take-home as % of gross
Housing Affordability in Delaware Cities
Based on $140,000 salary · Rent: HUD FMR 2026 · COL: C2ER/ACCRA
Wilmington
COL: 1.05× · 1BR rent: $1,350/mo
Rent burden: 16.4% of take-home
Is $140,000 enough in Wilmington? →Newark
COL: 1.03× · 1BR rent: $1,300/mo
Rent burden: 15.8% of take-home
Is $140,000 enough in Newark? →Middletown
COL: 1.00× · 1BR rent: $1,250/mo
Rent burden: 15.2% of take-home
Is $140,000 enough in Middletown? →Smyrna
COL: 0.97× · 1BR rent: $1,180/mo
Rent burden: 14.4% of take-home
Is $140,000 enough in Smyrna? →Milford
COL: 0.99× · 1BR rent: $1,220/mo
Rent burden: 14.9% of take-home
Is $140,000 enough in Milford? →Popular Salary Guides for Delaware
Is This Salary Enough in Delaware?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $100,000 a good salary in Delaware?
A $100,000 salary in Delaware yields approximately $73,412 per year ($6,118/month) after federal and state taxes. In most Delaware cities, this is above the state individual median of $46,200 — generally a comfortable income.
How much state income tax do you pay in Delaware?
Delaware has Progressive state income tax (2.2%–6.6%). For a $100,000 salary, the estimated state income tax is $5,584. Your effective rate depends on your income level, filing status, and deductions.
What salary is considered middle class in Delaware?
The individual median income in Delaware is $46,200 and the household median is $79,325 (Census ACS 2023). Middle-class income typically ranges from 67%–200% of the household median, roughly $53,148–$158,650 for a family.
Data Sources
- •Tax calculations: IRS federal tax tables
- •Payroll taxes: Social Security Administration
- •Salary data: Bureau of Labor Statistics
- •Rent data: HUD Fair Market Rents
Data updated monthly using government datasets.