Delaware— Property Tax & Closing Costs
2024 Census dataEffective tax rate
0.43%
of assessed value annually
Median home value
$316,600
2024 ACS survey
Median taxes paid
$1,363/yr
2024 data
Kent County's 0.43% effective property tax rate ranks 284th lowest among the 3,134 US counties tracked, placing it in the bottom 10% lowest nationally. Within Delaware's 3 counties, it's the 2nd highest. On the county's median home value of $316,600, the typical homeowner pays $1,363 annually in property tax — $266 less than the national median of $1,629. At closing, Delaware's 4.00% combined real estate transfer tax adds roughly $12,664 on a median-priced home, split between buyer and seller. About 9.6% of the county lies within a FEMA flood hazard zone — worth checking msc.fema.gov for any specific address before buying.
Calculate your true cost
Enter any purchase price to see the full cost breakdown for Kent County.
County median: $316,600
Leave at $0 if the property has no homeowners association.
LTV: 80.00%
At closing
Monthly ongoing
Year one
Moderate flood risk. Some neighborhoods require flood insurance — check your property at msc.fema.gov.
All figures are estimates for planning purposes only. Mortgage payment assumes a 30-year fixed rate of 6.8% — your lender will confirm the actual rate. Closing costs vary by lender and transaction. Consult a licensed real estate attorney and lender before making any financial decisions.
Delaware property tax exemptions
Ways buyers in Kent County may reduce their annual property tax. These programs apply statewide; verify county specifics with your local assessor.
Senior School Property Tax Credit
Homeowners 65+ receive a 50% credit against school property tax on their primary residence, capped at $500 (raised to $1,000 for tax years beginning Jan 1, 2026). 10-year Delaware residency required.
View official source →Disabled Veterans School Property Tax Credit
100% credit against non-vocational school district property taxes on a primary residence for veterans with a 100% VA service-connected disability rating. Cannot be combined with the senior credit.
View official source →First-Time Home Buyer Realty Transfer Tax Reduction
First-time Delaware home buyers receive a 0.5% reduction in the buyer's share of the state realty transfer tax on the first $400,000 of purchase price.
View official source →Last verified 2026-04. Exemption amounts and eligibility change frequently — always confirm with your county assessor before claiming.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about buying a home in Kent County.
The effective property tax rate in Kent County is 0.43% — calculated as the median annual property tax paid ($1,363) divided by the median home value ($316,600), using 2024 US Census ACS 5-year estimates. Your actual bill depends on your purchase price, homestead or senior exemptions, and any special assessments applied in your taxing district.
Delaware's combined real estate transfer tax is approximately 4.00% of the purchase price. On the median Kent County home value of $316,600, this adds roughly $12,664 at closing. Total combined rate 4% (state 2.5% + local 1.5%) in New Castle County, split 50/50 between buyer and seller by custom. Kent County total 3%, Sussex County total 3.5%. First-time DE buyers receive reduction on the buyer half.
Only in parts. About 9.6% of Kent County's land area is within a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area. Most homes are outside these zones, but worth verifying the specific address at msc.fema.gov.
Closing costs for a buyer in Kent County typically run $6,332–$15,830 (2–5% of purchase price) on a median-priced home, including title insurance ($800–$2,000), appraisal ($400–$700), home inspection ($350–$600), recording fees ($100–$300), and loan origination (0.5–1.0% of the loan amount). Use the calculator above for a specific estimate at your purchase price.
Data sources for Kent County
Every figure on this page is traceable. Verify the numbers yourself against the original public data.
Source for the 0.43% effective property tax rate, median home value, and median taxes paid (ACS 5-year, 2024 vintage).
Source for county-level flood zone exposure, wildfire risk, and other natural hazard ratings. Updated quarterly by FEMA.
Look up a specific property's flood zone and insurance rate map before making an offer on a home in Kent County.
Guides for Delaware home buyers
What every buyer should read before making an offer.
HOA Documents
HOA lawsuits — how to check for pending litigation against your future HOA before you close
A buyer closed on a house and only then found out about ongoing HOA lawsuits. Six checks you can run yourself before your contingencies expire.
Read the guide →HOA Documents
Undisclosed HOA special assessment — what you can do if you find out after closing
HOA special assessment not on the disclosure? One buyer got a $15,000 bill the day after closing. How to catch it before — and what to do after.
Read the guide →