Property Tax in Delaware (2026): Rates, Exemptions, and Real Numbers

Delaware Property Tax Rates by County

Highest and lowest effective rates within Delaware

Property Tax Calculator — Delaware

Pre-loaded with Delaware's 0.55% effective rate and $368,400 median price

Property Tax by City in Delaware

Annual and monthly property tax by city, based on local median prices and the statewide effective rate

Delaware Homestead Exemption

How Delaware Assesses Property Values

Assessment cycle: Assessment cycles vary by county. New Castle County uses 1983 base year; Kent and Sussex counties have not revalued in decades, causing significant assessment drift from market values.

Property Tax's Impact on Your True Monthly Cost

On a $368,400 home in Delaware

Property tax represents 6% of the true monthly cost in Delaware.

Mortgage Calculator Including Property Tax — Delaware

See your full PITI (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) payment

How Delaware's Property Tax Affects Affordability

$169/month in property tax reduces the home price you can afford. Use the affordability calculator to see the real impact.

Property Tax After Refinancing in Delaware

Refinancing changes your P&I but not your property tax. If your home was reassessed at a higher value, your tax bill increases regardless of your rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Delaware?

Delaware's effective property tax rate is 0.55%, ranking #42 nationally. The median annual property tax bill is $2,025 ($169/month). Rates range from 0.34% in Sussex County to 0.69% in New Castle County. Source: Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024.

Does Delaware have a homestead exemption?

Yes — Delaware offers a homestead exemption for primary residences. Senior Property Tax Credit: 50% reduction in county and municipal property taxes for homeowners 65+ with qualifying income. School property tax credit for eligible seniors. No general homestead exemption for younger owners.. Apply through your county assessor's office after purchasing your home.

How often is property reassessed in Delaware?

Delaware reassesses property on a assessment cycles vary by county. new castle county uses 1983 base year; kent and sussex counties have not revalued in decades, causing significant assessment drift from market values. basis. When your property is reassessed, your tax bill changes based on the new assessed value multiplied by the applicable rate. If you believe your assessment is too high, you can appeal — most counties allow 30-90 days after receiving your assessment notice.

How is property tax calculated in Delaware?

Property tax = Assessed Value × Mill Rate (or effective rate). In Delaware, the effective rate is 0.55% of market value. On a $368,400 home: $368,400 × 0.55% = $2,025/year. Assessments may use a fraction of market value — the effective rate accounts for this.

Can I appeal my property tax assessment in Delaware?

Yes. If your assessed value is higher than comparable sales in your area, you can file an appeal with your county assessment board. Steps: (1) Get your assessment notice, (2) Research comparable recent sales, (3) File an appeal by the deadline (typically 30-90 days from assessment notice). Studies show 20-40% of appeals result in a reduction. The process is free and you represent yourself — no attorney required.

Are property taxes included in my mortgage payment in Delaware?

Most lenders require an escrow account that collects $169/month ($2,025/year ÷ 12) along with your mortgage payment, then pays the county on your behalf. If your loan-to-value is below 80%, you may be able to opt out of escrow and pay taxes directly. Note: if your assessed value rises, your escrow payment adjusts and your total monthly cost increases.

What Delaware counties have the highest and lowest property taxes?

Delaware's highest effective rate is in New Castle County at 0.69%. The lowest is Sussex County at 0.34%. That's a 0.35% spread — on a $368,400 home, the difference is $1,289/year.