⚡ Featured Deal

Essentials for Your New Home

🛒 Shop This Deal Now

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tier 3 Location

Clayton, DE Utility & Living Guide

Clayton is a town in Kent and New Castle counties in the U.S. state of Delaware.

Last updated: July 4, 2026

Total Utilities$280/mo

1BR Rent$1385/mo

COL Index105 (+5% above national average)

Family Score7/10

Median Home$302,100

📷 Live Cameras — Clayton

Live · refreshing...

🌤️ Live Weather — Clayton

Loading weather...

Living in Clayton, summers are hot, with Jul highs around 88.0°F, while winters are chilly, with Jan lows around 29.6°F. Winter heating is a real budget factor — 3804 degree days means 4-5 months of meaningful energy bills. Annual rainfall reaches 55.1 inches, mostly summer thunderstorms. Within 5 miles: 9 parks, 2 groceries, 6 dining spots and 1 school. For hospital care, the nearest facility is in a neighboring city. Median household income: $98,367. With a 7.2% poverty rate and 81.2% homeownership, the community reflects a stable residential mix. Nearby cities: Dover (11mi SE), Middletown (12mi NW), Greenwich Township (17mi E). Air quality is Moderate — avg AQI 51 over the past week.

📍 City Briefing

⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Clayton

Loading hazard data...

💰 Budget Calculator

🔌 Utilities

🏠 Housing

📊 Cost of Living

💰 Taxes

👨‍👩‍👧 Families

🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$140/mo

Delmarva Power

🔥 Gas

—

N/A - Electric only

💧 Water

$50/mo

Town of Clayton Water Department

🗑️ Garbage

$30/mo

Waste Management

📶 Internet

$60/mo

Combined Average Overhead$280/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom	$1385/mo
2 Bedrooms	$1539/mo
3 Bedrooms	$1923/mo
Median Home Price	$302,100
Property Tax Rate	1.15%
Avg Childcare/mo	$900

The housing market in Clayton is relatively affordable, with a range of options from historic homes to new constructions. However, the market can be competitive, especially for families and first-time homebuyers. Rentals are also available, but may be limited in terms of inventory.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

105

US national avg = 100

vs National Avg

+5% above national average

Groceries

102

Transportation

Healthcare

100

Childcare/mo

$900

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Property Tax Rate	1.15%
<p>State 0% + County 0% + City 0%</p>

Delaware has a progressive state income tax, with rates ranging from 0% to 5.95%. However, the state does not tax Social Security benefits or retirement income.

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score

7/10

Safety Index

Higher = safer

School Rating

7.2/10

GreatSchools avg

Avg Childcare

$900/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend

+2% (growing)

Political Climate

Purple description, with a mix of Democratic and Republican voters

Business Momentum

Moderate, with key industries including healthcare, education, and manufacturing

Top Local Concerns

Traffic, affordable housing, public safety

🚌 Transit for Families

The town has a limited public transportation system, but is relatively walkable and bikeable, with some stroller-friendly sidewalks and parks.

🎡 Top Kid Attractions

🎯
Clayton Park
🎯
Smyrna Lake
🎯
Brandywine Creek State Park

Best Neighborhoods for Families

The downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods offer a charming small-town feel, with tree-lined streets and historic homes. The town also has newer developments with more modern amenities, such as the Clayton Village community.

Household Budget Calculator

Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Clayton based on your household profile.

📰 Live Local News

The Town of Clayton has regulations in place regarding zoning, building permits, and noise ordinances, among others.

Financial Tools

Calculators

Income Tax CalculatorEstimate take-home pay by state
Mortgage CalculatorMonthly payment estimator
Affordability CalculatorHow much home can you afford?
Childcare Cost EstimatorCompare daycare costs by city

Planning Tools

Retirement PlannerRetirement readiness check
Car Lease CalculatorMonthly lease payment estimator
Savings CalculatorGrow your emergency fund
City Comparison ToolCompare cities side by side

Find Another City Guide

Search by city name or ZIP code to find utility costs, housing data and cost of living guides.

📊 Clayton — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

💰 Median Household Income

$98,367

🏠 Homeownership Rate

81.2%

🔑 Renter Rate

18.8%

📉 Poverty Rate

7.2%

💼 Unemployment Rate

2.3%

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Utility costs in Clayton tend to be higher in the summer months due to air conditioning usage, with average electric bills increasing by 20-30% from June to August. In contrast, winter heating costs are relatively low due to the town's mild climate.

🏛️ Local Tax Details

The ZIP code 19938 has a property tax millage rate of 1.15, with no local surtaxes. However, residents may be subject to county and state taxes.

👶 Family & Stroller Friendliness

6/10, with explanation: Clayton has some stroller-friendly sidewalks and parks, but also has areas with limited accessibility and uneven pavement. The town's family infrastructure, including playgrounds and community centers, is relatively well-developed.

📰 Latest DE Stories