Buying a home in Delaware

Property taxes, transfer taxes, home values and first-time buyer help in Delaware.

For home buyers in Delaware: the taxes and typical costs of buying, with official sources.

Effective property tax rate

0.5%

Median tax $1,768 ÷ median value $352,000 (ACS 2020–2024)

Typical home value

$405,061

Zillow ZHVI, 2026-09

Transfer & recording taxes Estimate

$16,202

Total on a $405,061 home; buyer’s typical share $6,101–$8,101.

How we estimated

4% combined realty transfer tax where the local government levies its full 1.5% (state 2.5% + local 1.5%; 30 Del. C. §5402), split equally by law. First-time buyers get 0.5% off the buyer's share on up to $400,000 (max $2,000); the low end of the buyer range reflects that credit. Sources: 30 Del. C. ch. 54 · Delaware Division of Revenue: First-Time Home Buyer. Checked 2026-10-15.

Buyer’s transfer & recording taxes Estimate

$6,101–$8,101

On a $405,061 home. Lender fees and title insurance aren’t included because we don’t have a sourced figure for them in Delaware. Estimate the rest.

At Delaware's effective rate of 0.5%, a typical $405,061 home would owe about $2,025/year ($169/month) in property taxes. Actual bills depend on your county, city and exemptions. Run your numbers.

First-time homebuyer programs

Delaware State Housing Authority

Your state housing finance agency offers down payment assistance and low-rate mortgages for eligible buyers. Visit Delaware State Housing Authority →

Next steps

Cheapest & priciest ZIPs in DelawareZIP codes ranked by typical home value Delaware first-time buyer programsDown payment assistance from the state HFA Payment on a typical Delaware home$405,061 home at your state's tax rate Mortgage rates today30-year fixed at 7.24%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year (B25103, B25077); Zillow Home Value Index; TallyClose closing-cost dataset (CC BY 4.0), which cites each state statute; NCSHA HFA directory. Last updated 2026-11-01.

Common questions

What is the property tax rate in Delaware?

The effective property tax rate in Delaware is 0.5%: the median tax of $1,768 divided by the median home value of $352,000 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024).

What is a typical home value in Delaware?

$405,061 in September 2026, according to the Zillow Home Value Index.

Who offers first-time homebuyer help in Delaware?

Delaware State Housing Authority, the state housing finance agency, offers down payment assistance and lower-rate loans for eligible buyers.

Updated November 3, 2026. Official sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, Zillow Research ZHVI.

Buying a home in Delaware

Delaware State Housing Authority

Next steps

Common questions

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