Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Bear and Smyrna, Delaware. Using Delaware's 0.56% property tax rate and $1,300/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
Smyrna edges out Bear in affordability, saving you roughly $98/month on total housing costs. Both cities are in Delaware, so property tax rates and insurance costs are the same — the difference comes down to home prices and what you get for your money in each market.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses Delaware's 0.56% property tax rate.
Buying in Smyrna saves you approximately $98/month ($1,176/year) compared to Bear, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Smyrna is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $295K versus $310K in Bear. That's $15K less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $10K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in Smyrna, compared to $11K in Bear. Delaware offers the DSHA Homeownership Loan program (Up to 5% Preferred Plus) which applies in both cities.
Smyrna has the better price-to-rent ratio at 18.6x versus 18.7x in Bear. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in Smyrna is $1,320/month on a $295K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
Bear (pop. 21,298) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while Smyrna (pop. 12,883) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Families on a budget may prefer Smyrna, where lower housing costs free up more income for childcare, education, and savings.