In short
Wilmington charges a local tax on a home sale: Wilmington real estate transfer tax. On the median owner-occupied home ($245,100), local taxes come to $3,677; with the Delaware state tax of $6,128, the total is $9,804, or 4% of the price.
Median value: $245,100 median value of owner-occupied homes, Wilmington city, Delaware (Census ACS 2024 1-year, table B25077). It is an owner estimate, not a sale price.
What you pay at different prices
| Price | Wilmington real estate transfer tax | Delaware state tax | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $245,100 median home | $3,677 | $6,128 | $9,804 |
| $300,000 | $4,500 | $7,500 | $12,000 |
| $500,000 | $7,500 | $12,500 | $20,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $15,000 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| $2,000,000 | $30,000 | $50,000 | $80,000 |
Before exemptions and credits (first-time buyers, transfers between relatives…), which are listed below when the source gives them. The tax due on your deed is the one the recorder computes.
The rates, tax by tax
Wilmington real estate transfer tax
1.50% of the selling price (city); state portion 2.5%, total 4%.
In force: Per FY2023 proposed budget summary (tax schedule). Source: City of Wilmington - Proposed Budget Summary FY 2023 (tax rates page).
The rate comes from the city's budget summary; ask the settlement agent to confirm it for your closing date.
Questions
How much local transfer tax do you pay on a median home in Wilmington?
$3,677 on $245,100, the median value of owner-occupied homes (Census ACS). Payotte computes it from the rates published by the official sources cited on the page.
Is the local tax on top of the Delaware tax?
Yes. The local taxes listed here are added to the Delaware state transfer tax.
General information drawn from the official sources cited and dated on this page. It is not legal, tax or financial advice: for your own situation, ask a licensed professional.