What it's like to live in Milford
Milford is a small city in Delaware with rent below the national average, home prices that remain within reach, air quality that stays clean most of the year, and a population that has grown fast since 2020. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Milford deals with household incomes below the national average, crime rates above the national average, a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin, and cold winters.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Affordable home prices
- Clean air
- Fast-growing population
- Average class sizes
The not so good
- Below-average household incomes
- Crime above national average
- High rent burden for renters
- Cold winters
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Milford compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Milford
Based on Milford's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,520
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $50,400 a year
- 51% of Milford renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$59,380
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $29,690
- Homes cost 5.0× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 11% below US
$1,260/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,260 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices are reasonable, with a median around $296,900. Not a steal, but not intimidating either.
Median home value $296,900 · 51% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
4.7% county unemployment
Unemployment in Sussex County is 4.7%, close to the national average of 4.3%. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Sussex County (county-wide)
Safety▲ 41% above US
464 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is worth weighing seriously here. Rates run above the national average, and while plenty of residents live comfortably, neighborhood selection matters a lot more than it does in a safer city.
Property crime 2615/100k · Milford Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 10% below US
23 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 23.3 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 9 in 10 workers drive to work; 8% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 85°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 27°F and snow a regular occurrence. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 3.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▼ 23% below US
28% bachelor's degree or higher
College degree attainment runs below average at 28%. That tends to reflect a more trade and working-class economy, which can be great or limiting depending on the industry.
Schools
5 public schools inside the boundary
There are 5 public schools inside the boundary and 1 private school. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1, close to the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Great Egg Harbor River (50 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Milford's strongest points are rent below the national average and home prices that remain within reach; the main tradeoffs are household incomes below the national average and crime rates above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,260/mo) equals 25% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Milford
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