Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Delaware and Pennsylvania. Updated for 2026.
Pennsylvania wins 4 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. With a median home price of $280K and lower overall costs, Pennsylvania offers meaningful savings compared to Delaware. Both states offer first-time buyer programs — explore the state pages for full details.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI.
The monthly payment difference is $295/month — that’s $3,540/year or $106K over the life of a 30-year loan. Buying in Pennsylvania is the more affordable option based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Based on the 28% debt-to-income rule — your monthly housing payment should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income.
To afford the median home in Delaware, you need a household income of approximately $104K/year. In Pennsylvania, you need $91K/year — less by $13K/year. The $13K difference is meaningful but manageable for dual-income households.
Pennsylvania offers meaningfully lower home prices than Delaware, with median prices running 21% less ($75K difference). This gap translates to both a smaller loan and lower monthly payments. First-time buyers priced out of Delaware may find Pennsylvania far more accessible, particularly when combined with local down payment assistance programs.
Delaware has a moderate property tax advantage at 0.56% versus Pennsylvania's 1.36%. While the rate gap of 0.80% may seem small, it translates to an annual difference of approximately $1,820 when applied to each state's median home price. Over a typical homeownership period of 7-10 years, that adds up to $15K in savings.
Closing costs are a one-time but significant expense. Delaware averages $12K in closing costs (3.3% of purchase price) while Pennsylvania averages $5K (1.7%). Much of Delaware's higher costs come from its 4% transfer tax, which adds $14K to the median home purchase. Budget for these upfront costs — they affect how much cash you need on hand at closing.
Both states offer down payment assistance for first-time buyers. Delaware's DSHA Homeownership Loan provides Up to 5% Preferred Plus, while Pennsylvania's PHFA Keystone Advantage offers Up to $6,000 DPA. These programs can significantly reduce your upfront costs and make homeownership accessible even if you haven't saved a full 20% down payment. Check eligibility requirements on each state's housing finance agency website — income limits and purchase price caps apply.
The bottom line: Delaware and Pennsylvania are broadly similar in housing costs, with only $295/month separating them in total PITI payments. In cases like this, your decision should be driven by lifestyle preferences — job opportunities, climate, proximity to family, and quality of life — rather than pure cost savings. Either state offers a reasonable path to homeownership.