Dover, Delaware
In Dover, Delaware, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.88 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.18 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,689, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Dover's cost-of-living index of 90 puts it below the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$3.88
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$1,689
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$12.17
Combo meal
Electricity
16.51¢
per kWh · ~$149/mo
Car Insurance
$193/mo
$2,320/yr
Median Household Income
$72,872
37% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $2,320 in Dover. Compare rates:
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Some prices above are regional estimates. Submit a receipt from a local store to help us show what Dover residents actually pay.
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Find Apartments
Avg rent $1,689/mo in Dover. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
Butter (lb)
$5.08 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$7.13 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$6.82 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$1.80 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$4.97 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$11.89 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$5.38 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$4.32 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$4.95 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$2.74 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.29 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$7.11 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$5.04 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$6.14 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$8.33 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.95 | $5.08 | +28.6% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $6.05 | $7.13 | +17.9% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.68 | $6.82 | +20.1% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.38 | $1.80 | +30.4% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.07 | $4.97 | +22.1% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $8.49 | $11.89 | +40.0% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $3.65 | $5.38 | +47.4% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.76 | $4.32 | +14.9% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.36 | $4.95 | +13.5% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.11 | $2.74 | +29.9% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.76 | $2.29 | +30.1% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.28 | $7.11 | +34.7% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.15 | $5.04 | +21.4% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.70 | $6.14 | +30.6% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $5.89 | $8.33 | +41.4% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$12.17
Casual Dining
$23.40
Monthly Spend
$362.82
+4.6% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $7.55
$12.17
+61.2%Wendy's
2022: $8.52
$13.14
+54.2%Chipotle
2022: $9.13
$13.63
+49.3%Starbucks
2022: $3.86
$5.36
+38.9%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Dover?
Average 1BR: $1,385/mo · 2BR: $1,993/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
71k
Median Weekly Pay
$1,105
$57k/yr
Top Sector
Trade, Transportation & Utilities
Household vs Worker Pay
$73k
household median
Employment by Sector — Dover
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$46k/yr
~$56k/yr
~$26k/yr
~$72k/yr
~$76k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 10001
Highest Paying Sector
Financial Activities
$1,686/wk · $88k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$508/wk · $26k/yr
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