Cost of owning a dog in Delaware
Services in Delaware are priced at 101.2% of the US level (BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024) — about the national average, so the US-wide figures on this site apply almost unchanged. Food, gear and medication bought online cost the same everywhere, so the difference lands on the vet, groomer, kennel and insurer.
| Category | per year | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Food & treats929 kcal/day × $1.42 per 1,000 kcal + 30% treats | $625 | 23% |
| Vet & preventive1 exam, core vaccines, heartworm test, dental every 3 yrs, 12 months of parasite prevention | $795 | 30% |
| InsuranceAccident & illness plan, US average, adjusted for state | $846 | 32% |
| GroomingHome grooming: brush, clippers, shampoo | $24 | 1% |
| Supplies & gearReplacement toys, waste bags, treats | $58 | 2% |
| Training & boardingUS average yearly boarding spend, adjusted for state | $326 | 12% |
Where Delaware sits
| Services price level | 101.2 |
| Rank among 51 (1 = cheapest) | #35 |
| All-items price level | 99.8 |
| Goods price level | 96.2 |
| Housing rents level | 102.0 |
100 = US average. We apply the "services: other" component to vet care, salon grooming, boarding and insurance; goods and rents are shown for context only.
Source · U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · Updated 2026-09-21
Similar price level
Popular breeds priced for Delaware
Typical yearly cost for an adult, standard kibble, accident & illness insurance, salon grooming for coats that need clipping. Open a breed to adjust.
| Breed | Per year | First year | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
| French BulldogAKC #1 · small | $2,554 | $3,539 | $26,378 |
| Labrador RetrieverAKC #2 · large | $3,289 | $4,321 | $43,567 |
| Golden RetrieverAKC #3 · large | $3,016 | $4,048 | $41,576 |
| German Shepherd DogAKC #4 · large | $3,307 | $4,339 | $38,025 |
| DachshundAKC #5 · small | $2,542 | $3,527 | $35,590 |
| Miniature PoodleAKC #6 · small | $2,860 | $3,845 | $42,159 |
| Standard PoodleAKC #6 · large | $3,754 | $4,786 | $53,888 |
| Toy PoodleAKC #6 · toy | $2,701 | $3,686 | $40,149 |
| BeagleAKC #7 · small | $2,574 | $3,559 | $33,844 |
| RottweilerAKC #8 · giant | $3,396 | $4,453 | $37,294 |
| German Shorthaired PointerAKC #9 · large | $3,150 | $4,182 | $42,886 |
| BulldogAKC #10 · medium | $2,778 | $3,765 | $28,516 |
| Cane CorsoAKC #11 · giant | $3,539 | $4,596 | $29,716 |
| Cavalier King Charles SpanielAKC #12 · small | $2,811 | $3,796 | $34,983 |
| Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie)AKC #13 · toy | $2,649 | $3,634 | $37,399 |
Cheapest to keep in Delaware
- 01Chihuahua$2,199
- 02Russian Toy$2,243
- 03Toy Fox Terrier$2,264
Most expensive to keep in Delaware
- 01Black Russian Terrier$4,539
- 02Komondor$4,233
- 03Leonberger$4,217
State pages use one price index for all of Delaware; a big-city clinic and a rural one can differ more than any two states. How the state adjustment works.