⚡ Featured Deal

Essentials for Your New Home

🛒 Shop This Deal Now

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tier 3 Location

Milford, DE Utility & Living Guide

Milford is a city in Kent and Sussex counties in the U.S. state of Delaware.

Last updated: July 4, 2026

Total Utilities$258/mo

1BR Rent$998/mo

COL Index102 (+2% above national average)

Family Score7/10

Median Home$255,300

📷 Live Cameras — Milford

Live · refreshing...

🌤️ Live Weather — Milford

Loading weather...

Living in Milford, summers are hot, with Jul highs around 87.8°F, while winters are chilly, with Jan lows around 30.5°F. Winter heating is a real budget factor — 3609 degree days means 4-5 months of meaningful energy bills. The area receives 50.4 inches of rainfall per year. Within 5 miles: 14 parks, 2 groceries and 7 dining spots. For hospital care, the nearest facility is in a neighboring city. Median household income: $53,472. With a 16.0% poverty rate and 50.0% homeownership, the community reflects a stable residential mix. Nearby cities: Georgetown (16mi S), Dover (18mi N), Lewes (18mi SE). Air quality is Good — avg AQI 48 over the past week.

📍 City Briefing

⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Milford

Loading hazard data...

💰 Budget Calculator

🔌 Utilities

🏠 Housing

📊 Cost of Living

💰 Taxes

👨‍👩‍👧 Families

🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$128/mo

Delmarva Power

🔥 Gas

—

N/A - Electric only

💧 Water

$40/mo

City of Milford Water Department

🗑️ Garbage

$30/mo

Waste Management

📶 Internet

$60/mo

Combined Average Overhead$258/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom	$998/mo
2 Bedrooms	$1109/mo
3 Bedrooms	$1386/mo
Median Home Price	$255,300
Property Tax Rate	0.86%
Avg Childcare/mo	$900

The housing market in Milford is relatively affordable, with a mix of older and newer homes available. The city has seen some new development in recent years, but the overall pace of growth is moderate. Rentals are also available, but may be limited in certain areas.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

102

US national avg = 100

vs National Avg

+2% above national average

Groceries

100

Transportation

Healthcare

105

Childcare/mo

$900

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Property Tax Rate	0.86%
<p>State 0% + County 0% + City 0%</p>

Delaware has a progressive income tax system, with rates ranging from 0% to 5.95%. However, the state does not tax Social Security benefits or retirement income from pensions or 401(k) plans.

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

+10% (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, public safety, economic development

🚌 Transit for Families

The city has a limited public transportation system, but it is relatively stroller-friendly, with accessible sidewalks and some pedestrian-friendly areas.

🎡 Top Kid Attractions

🎯
Milford Museum
🎯
DuPont Nature Center
🎯
Abbott's Mill Nature Center

Best Neighborhoods for Families

The downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods, such as North Milford and South Milford, are popular with families due to their proximity to schools, parks, and community amenities. The city also has some newer developments, such as the Milford Crossing subdivision, which offer more modern homes and amenities.

Household Budget Calculator

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

📰 Live Local News

The City of Milford has regulations in place regarding zoning, building codes, and environmental protection. Residents are also subject to Delaware state laws and regulations.

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.

📊 Milford — Census & Demographic Data

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

💰 Median Household Income

$53,472

🏠 Homeownership Rate

50.0%

🔑 Renter Rate

50.0%

📉 Poverty Rate

16.0%

💼 Unemployment Rate

6.1%

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Utility costs in Milford 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 the winter, heating costs are relatively low due to the mild climate, with average electric bills decreasing by 10-20% from December to February.

🏛️ Local Tax Details

The City of Milford has a property tax rate of 0.86%, with no local surtaxes. The surrounding Kent County has a property tax rate of 0.43%, with no additional surtaxes.

👶 Family & Stroller Friendliness

Score 6/10: Milford has some pedestrian-friendly areas, including the downtown area and some parks, but sidewalks and crosswalks can be limited in certain areas, and elevator access in transit is not always available.

📰 Latest DE Stories