The Best Places to Live in Delaware
Pike Creek, Elsmere, and Highland Acres rank among the best places to live in the state of Delaware.
Written by Jacqulyn Graber
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Affordable housing, spacious neighborhoods, and above-average school districts make Pike Creek, Elsmere, and Highland Acres the best places to live in
Delaware
. Delaware, popularly known as “The First State,” offers all of the perks of a suburban lifestyle alongside easy access to Philadelphia, New York City, Washington D.C., and Baltimore. Delaware’s low taxes and ample job opportunities make it a great place to call home—but you’ll need to consider which community is best for you.
That’s where
Jerry
comes in. Jerry isn’t just your top option for finding affordable car and homeowners insurance—we’re also here to help you find the best places to live in Delaware based on your unique lifestyle needs. If you’re considering moving to Delaware but are unsure which city or town to pick, read on to explore some of your best options.
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What makes a good place to live?
When it comes to picking a place to live, you have to consider your age, preferences, and short- and long-term goals. For example, recent college graduates might be more attracted to areas with ample career options, while those looking to start a family might prioritize safety and excellent school districts.
To help you narrow down your options, we’ve researched the small towns and big cities in Delaware and considered each of the following metrics:
- Median household income
- Median home price
- Cost of living
- Quality of schools
- Crime rates
- Healthcare
- Average commute times
- FEMA risk index ratings
With these criteria in mind, we’ve narrowed down the best places to live in Delaware based on each of these three categories: the best place for families, the most affordable location, and the best place to buy a home.
The best places for families to live in Delaware
When searching for a place to settle, families must consider a variety of factors—the quality of school districts, safety, and affordability, to name a few. When considering these factors, three Delaware towns stand out above the rest.
Pike Creek
Location: New Castle County
Population: 7,613
Median household income: $117,379
Median home price: $343,300
Though in Delaware, Pike Creek is considered a suburb of Philadelphia. Located just five miles from downtown Newark, Pike Creek is connected to the University of Delaware by a series of bike trails. Despite easy access to nearby cities, its rural-suburban vibes make Pike Creek one of the best spots for families.
Pike Creek’s crime rates fall over 50% below the national average. Public schools rank highly, too. The district serving the eastern portion of the community, Red Clay Consolidated School District, ranks among the top three districts in the state.
Located just ten miles from Wilmington, Delaware’s capital and a national financial district, Pike Creek is a haven for young professionals. The median household income for the area is $117,379—nearly two times the national average.
Hockessin
Location: New Castle County
Population: 13,157
Median household income: $128,412
Median home price: $441,200
Another suburb of Philadelphia, Hockessin offers residents a sparse rural feel. Though a popular destination for retirees, the town’s low crime rates (it’s safer than 54% of American cities) make Hockessin a great option for families.
The small town’s residents also enjoy excellent public schools. The Cab Calloway School of the Arts ranks #2 on the list of Best Public Middle Schools in Delaware, and the Conrad Schools of Science land at #3. Hockessin also boasts several private and Montessori school options.
Hockessin offers adults and children alike plenty of year-round entertainment. Several local parks are located just a few blocks from downtown, including Swift Memorial, which features ball fields, walking paths, and lots of wide-open spaces.
The most affordable places to live in Delaware
If you’re considering making a move to a new city or town, cost of living is one of the biggest factors to consider. Although home prices are reasonable and there’s zero sales tax, the cost of living in Delaware is about 10% higher than the national average.
Fortunately, there are still several affordable places to live in Delaware. Below, we outline the top three, based on two main factors: overall cost of living and average commute times (which determine fuel costs).
Elsmere
Location: New Castle County
Population: 5,943
Median household income: $61,273
Median home price: $174,700
Another small town outside of Philadelphia, Elsmere offers its residents a country feel, lots of parks, affordable housing, and the lowest cost of living in the entire state. In addition to affordability, families can still enjoy low crime rates and great public schools.
Car-related expenses are considerably low in Elsmere. An average commute time of 23.8 minutes means you’ll save on fuel costs. And although the average cost of car insurance in Delaware is above the national average, you can bring your rates down with help from
Jerry
! Though small in size, Elsmere offers easy access to Wilmington, Delaware. Townees can easily enjoy everything from the Delaware History Museum to the Russell W. Peterson Wildlife Refuge.
Bellefonte
Location: New Castle County
Population: 1,173
Median household income: $79,063
Median home price: $226,300
Like many small towns on our list, Bellefonte offers a sparse suburban feel, quality public schools, and lots of public parks, but is still close to Philadelphia and Wilmington. With a median household income level set above the national average, the town’s low cost of living is especially appealing.
Unfortunately, the higher-than-average crime rates could drive up the cost of your car insurance, but you’ll save on gas with a 24.2-minute commute on average.
Wilmington Manor
Location: New Castle County
Population: 7,903
Median household income: $57,153
Median home price: $172,800
Like their neighbors from surrounding small towns, residents of Wilmington Manor enjoy a respectable median household income and well-below-average real estate prices, making the rural suburb one of the most affordable towns in Delaware.
A quick and easy 22-minute average commute time will also save community members on monthly fuel costs. And No. 1 car insurance app
Jerry
can help drivers from Wilmington Manor find the lowest rates, despite the town’s above-average crime rates.In addition to being one of the most affordable towns in Delaware, Wilmington Manor is also one of the most scenic. It lies along the western shore of the Delaware River, where residents can visit historic sights like the Kalmar Nyckel, a historic replica of a sailing ship that played an integral part in Delaware’s history.
“Jerrymade everything super easy! I got the best and cheapest deals. And it’s my first time buying insurance! What a deal!” —Abby W.
Best places to buy a house in Delaware
If you aspire to be a Delaware homeowner, you’ll have to consider the housing market and climate in your future town or city. To pin down those factors, we looked at Realtor.com’s summaries of housing markets and the FEMA Risk Index, which is used to identify a community’s risk for natural hazards.
Highland Acres
Location: Kent County
Population: 3,446
Median household income: $87,255
Median home price: $253,500
Highland Acres is a small, rural town located just a few miles from Dover and Delaware Bay. This means that residents can access a bustling downtown environment, or the sandy beaches of the Atlantic Coast, within minutes!
Highland Acres is also one of the best places in Delaware to buy a house, with household incomes ranking above the national average and the median home prices decreasing consistently.
Highland Acres is also one of the few cities in Delaware with a low FEMA risk index—9.65 vs. the national average of 10.60 and state average of 13.24. This means that Highland Acres homes are at low risk of damage from natural disasters and severe weather. For homeowners, that means fewer repairs and fewer premium-inflating insurance claims.
Forty Acres
Location: New Castle County
Population: 1,649
Median household income: $128,864
Median home price: $401,648
Considered a neighborhood of Wilmington, Forty Acres is one of the only small towns on our list with a dense suburban feel. This means that area homeowners will enjoy a friendly community, as well as lots of bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and parks.
The neighborhood’s FEMA risk index rating of 11.82 is slightly higher than the national average, but still makes it one of the safer areas to live in the state of Delaware. Of course, homeowners will want to invest in quality insurance to protect their assets, and
Jerry
can help you find the best rates. Felton
Location: Kent County
Population: 1,355
Median household income: $66,071
Median home price: $191,300
Homes in Felton cost an average of $191,300–well below the national average price of $217,500. Combining this with an above-average median household income allows prospective homebuyers a lot of options.
Residents of Felton enjoy excellent public schools and low violent and property crime rates. A 9.65 FEMA index rating means that Felton is relatively safe from natural disasters, too.
History is at the heart of the town of Felton, which once served as a critical stop on the Delaware Railroad. You’ll fall in love with the quaint village and rural community, as well as crowd-favorite leisure destinations like Killens Pond State Park & Water Park and Pizzadili Vineyard & Winery.
How to find affordable homeowners and car insurance in Delaware
No matter where you decide to plant your roots, Jerry’s here to support you with the lowest homeowners and car insurance rates.
Using Jerry is simple: download the app, enter your information, and Jerry will search for rates from 50+ top insurance providers, like
Allstate
, Nationwide
, and Progressive
. You’ll get quotes in as little as 45 seconds, and Jerry’s team of insurance rockstars will help you cancel your old policy and switch over to your new low rate! Jerry users save $887 a year on average on car insurance just by using the app. That means Delaware residents can save a bundle!
“I usually hate all the phone calls that come with getting car insurance quotes, but withJerryI was able to do everything over text. I went from $224 with my previous provider to $193 with Nationwide. Such a relief!” —Gabby P.
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