Dover

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Dover, DE

Area Guide

Delaware’s capital has something for everyone.

Charming Historic Convenient Quaint

Dover, Delaware combines historical significance with contemporary living in the state's capital city. The community of approximately 39,000 residents offers housing options from downtown properties to suburban developments. Current rental trends show one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,360 per month and two-bedroom units around $1,537, reflecting annual increases between 1.5% and 3.5%. The historic district surrounding The Green showcases colonial architecture and houses the Biggs Museum of American Art. Delaware State University's campus enhances the educational landscape in the city's western section.

As the state capital, Dover balances government operations with recreation and entertainment. Silver Lake Park spans 182 acres, providing spaces for fishing, walking trails, and outdoor activities. The Dover Motor Speedway hosts major NASCAR events throughout the year, while the Firefly Music Festival brings musical performances to the region. Local Amish markets contribute handcrafted goods and fresh produce to the community. The Route 13 corridor features the Dover Mall and various retail establishments, while downtown Dover maintains independent shops and local eateries. Positioned between the Delaware beaches and major cities, Dover offers convenient access to both coastal attractions and urban centers.

Explore the City

Browse local boutiques in Downtown Dover.

Dover has many festivals throughout the year.

Reel in a prize herring or perch at Silver Run Park.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Dover, DE is $1,192 for a studio, $1,431 for one bedroom, $1,659 for two bedrooms, and $2,138 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Dover has increased by 1.0% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,431/month
770 Sq Ft
House
$2,319/month
1,312 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Dover, DE

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Dover, DE is 3.9% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Dover is 13.3% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,192 - $2,138. You can expect to pay 0.4% more for groceries, 3.7% less for utilities, and 5.1% more for transportation.

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Transportation

47

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

23

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

49

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Welch (Major George S.) Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

353 Students

Stokes (Nellie Hughes) Elementary School

Public

Grades 1-5

461 Students

North Dover Elementary School

Public

Grades K-4

315 Students

Brown (W. Reily) Elementary School

Public

Grades 1-5

540 Students

Booker T. Washington Elementary School

Public

Grades K-4

334 Students

Dover Air Force Base Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

125 Students

Central Middle School

Public

Grades 7-8

860 Students

Kent County Community School

Public

Grades PK-12

276 Students

Kent County Secondary Intensive Learning Center

Public

Grades 6-12

82 Students

Dover High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,771 Students

Kent County Community School

Public

Grades PK-12

276 Students

Kent County Secondary Intensive Learning Center

Public

Grades 6-12

82 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • First State Heritage Park
  • Delaware Agricultural Museum & Village
  • Delaware NERR

Top Apartments in Dover

Houses for Rent in Dover

Property Management Companies in Dover, DE

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.