Best Counties in Delaware — 2026 Rankings
3 of 3 counties scored across 12 dimensions
3
3 scored
46/100
composite score
50.4/100
44.2—50.4
lowest to highest
Rankings
Top Counties in Delaware
State Overview
Understanding County Scores in Delaware
Delaware sits slightly below the national median
With a state composite score of 46.3, Delaware trails the national median of 50.0. All three of the state's counties contribute to a profile that balances high earning potential against significant cost-of-living pressures.
A low-tax haven with high earning power
Delaware excels with an income score of 82.4 and a tax score of 81.9, reflecting its status as a major corporate and financial hub. Residents also enjoy a strong health score of 69.0, which is a key driver of the state's livability.
Affordability and environmental risks pose challenges
A low cost score of 13.5 indicates that Delaware is significantly more expensive than the average U.S. state. Furthermore, a risk score of 8.7 highlights environmental and climate-related vulnerabilities that lower the state's overall ranking.
Sussex County leads the First State
Sussex County is the state's top performer with a composite score of 50.4, bolstered by a near-perfect tax score of 97.1. New Castle and Kent counties follow with scores of 44.3 and 44.2, remaining competitive through high income levels and health metrics.
Ideal for tax-sensitive, high-earning professionals
Delaware is an excellent match for individuals who prioritize low taxes and high wages over general affordability. It best suits established professionals or retirees who can navigate the high local costs to enjoy the state's financial and health advantages.
All County Rankings in Delaware
Search, sort, and filter all 3 ranked counties
Showing 1–3 of 3 counties
| Rank | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sussex County | 50.4 | 97.1 | 18.3 | 81.7 | 25.3 | 69.5 | 57.5 | 5.9 | 55.6 | 68.3 | 54.8 | 61.2 | |
| 2 | New Castle County | 44.3 | 58.6 | 9.4 | 92 | 12.1 | 76 | 70.7 | 4.7 | 86 | 62 | 64.5 | 60.7 | |
| 3 | Kent County | 44.2 | 89.9 | 12.9 | 73.6 | 10.5 | 61.4 | 58.4 | 15.5 | 56.8 | 69.3 | 63.3 | 58.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Counties in Delaware
Common questions about county rankings and scores in Delaware.
What is the best county in Delaware?
Sussex County is the top-ranked county in Delaware with a CountyScore of 50.4/100. It leads the state across the available scoring dimensions, which include Property Tax, Cost of Living, Income & Jobs, Safety, Health, Schools, Disaster Risk, Water Quality, Weather & Climate, Soil Quality, Lawn Care, Farmers Markets.
How many counties are ranked in Delaware?
Delaware has 3 counties in total. Of those, 3 have been ranked with a composite score based on available data dimensions. The remaining 0 counties do not yet have enough data for a full score.
What factors determine a county's score?
Each county is scored 0–100 across up to eight data dimensions: Property Tax, Cost of Living, Income & Jobs, Safety, Health, Schools, Disaster Risk, and Water Quality. The composite score is a weighted average of whichever dimensions have data. Currently available dimensions are: Property Tax, Cost of Living, Income & Jobs, Safety, Health, Schools, Disaster Risk, Water Quality, Weather & Climate, Soil Quality, Lawn Care, Farmers Markets. Higher scores are always better — a score of 100 represents the best possible performance for that dimension.
What is the average county score in Delaware?
The average composite CountyScore across all ranked counties in Delaware is 46/100. The national average is 50/100, so Delaware counties score 4 points below the national average.
How does Delaware compare to other states?
Delaware's average county score of 46/100 is 4 points below the national average of 50/100. You can compare Delaware counties to counties in any other state using the county detail pages or the CountyScore compare tool.
Explore County Data by Category
Dive deeper into specific dimensions for counties in Delaware.
Best counties in other states
Data: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, 2019–2023 ACS — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.