Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, DE vs Dover, DE
A 2-bedroom in Dover costs $340 less per month than Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington ($1,470 vs $1,810). Median income is $89,273 in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington and $72,872 in Dover. That's a difference of $4,080 per year in housing costs.
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Delaware 2-bedroom FMR is $340 above Dover, Delaware — a meaningful 23-percent premium. Differences of this size are usually structural rather than transient, reflecting permanent differences in housing supply, labor-market scale, or zoning.
For households weighing a move between the two counties, the FMR gap is one input among several. Cost-of-living adjustments cover housing well but undercount the income-side picture; local wages can offset rent differences, particularly in higher-paying coastal metros where the higher rent comes with higher pay.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | Dover |
|---|---|---|
| Studio FMR | $1,397 | $1,158 |
| 1BR FMR | $1,520 | $1,165 |
| 2BR FMR | $1,810 | $1,470 |
| 3BR FMR | $2,170 | $2,044 |
| 4BR FMR | $2,423 | $2,285 |
| Median Income | $89,273 | $72,872 |
| Rent Burden | 24.3% | 24.2% |
| Actual Median Rent | $1,413 | $1,285 |
| Median Home Value | $326,700 | $290,600 |
| Population | 6.2M | 185K |
| Renter % | 33% | 29% |
| Vacancy Rate | 6.2% | 6.6% |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 11.3% |
| YoY Change | +4.2% | +7.5% |
| Min Wage | $13.25/hr | $13.25/hr |
Income Required to Afford a 2-Bedroom
Frequently Asked Questions
Dover, DE is more affordable with a 2BR FMR of $1,470/mo, which is $340 less than Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington at $1,810/mo. However, when considering local incomes, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington has a rent burden of 24.3% vs 24.2% in Dover.
A 2-bedroom in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, DE costs $1,810/mo at Fair Market Rent, while in Dover, DE it's $1,470/mo, a difference of $340/mo or $4,080/year.
To afford a 2BR without spending more than 30% of income on rent: Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington requires $72,400/year ($35/hr). Dover requires $58,800/year ($28/hr).
Source: HUD Fair Market Rents, 2026.