To take home four times the typical rent, a full-time job in Delaware needs to pay from $38.99 an hour in Sussex County to $46.89 in New Castle County, before taxes. The middle county is Kent County at $42.35.
| County | Pay needed | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| Kent County | $42.35/hr | $1,285/mo |
| New Castle County | $46.89/hr | $1,400/mo |
| Sussex County | $38.99/hr | $1,200/mo |
The Four Times Rent standard: a month of full-time work (160 hours) should take home at least four times the typical rent on a studio apartment in the county where the work is done. Rents: HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents. Taxes: 2026 federal, state and local income taxes plus Social Security and Medicare, for a single filer. Why four times rent?