Living in Delaware as an Arab: Wilmington & Newark Guide 2026
Delaware is a small state with an established Muslim and Arab community in Wilmington and Newark, and it has one rare feature that saves you money from day one: no state sales tax at all.
In short: Delaware is a small state with an established Muslim and Arab community between Wilmington and Newark. The driver's license agency is the DMV, and Arabic isn't confirmed for the knowledge test. There is no sales tax at all, and income tax is progressive up to 6.60%, as of September 2026.
Delaware and the Arab Community: Where People Live
Delaware is one of the smallest U.S. states by area and population, but it has an established Muslim and Arab community concentrated in New Castle County in the north, specifically between Wilmington, the state's commercial hub, and Newark, home to the University of Delaware.
In Wilmington, Masjid al Kauthar (the Muslim Center of Wilmington) is known as the oldest mosque in the state, dating back to 1957. In Newark, Masjid Ibrahim, which opened in 1991, is Delaware's largest mosque, and its location near campus means it serves large numbers of Arab and Muslim students and families. Smaller mosques and Islamic centers exist in the area too, including Masjid Isa Ibn-e-Maryam, associated with a local Islamic school.
Outside New Castle County, the Arab and Muslim presence across the rest of the state (Kent and Sussex counties to the south) is considerably thinner.
Just arrived in the U.S.? Read the First 90 Days in the USA guide before diving into Delaware-specific details.
Housing Costs in Wilmington and Newark
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) publishes official Fair Market Rents every year, used as a benchmark for rent by area and ZIP code. In Delaware, rents in Newark tend to run a bit higher given the university, but the real difference always comes down to the specific neighborhood and ZIP code.
For the exact figure for your neighborhood, use HUD USER's official FY2026 Fair Market Rents tool and enter your ZIP code before signing any lease.
To understand the rest of your monthly budget, see the Cost of Living in the USA guide.
Driver's License: DMV, Arabic Not Confirmed
Delaware's driver's license agency is the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and all transactions run through dmv.de.gov.
- Gather your documents. Proof of identity and legal presence, Social Security number, and two proofs of address from different sources dated within 60 days.
- Check the official test manual. Translated manuals are available on the DMV site in Chinese, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, but there's no confirmed official mention of Arabic among them.
- Call your DMV office before booking to ask specifically about an interpreter or an Arabic version of the knowledge test, to avoid a surprise on appointment day.
- Complete the vision exam and road test after passing the knowledge test.
Don't assume Arabic is automatically available. This guide could not confirm an official Arabic version of the knowledge test in Delaware at the time of writing, so direct confirmation from the DMV before your appointment is a necessary step.
On REAL ID: it became required starting May 7, 2025 to board domestic flights. Applying in Delaware requires an identity document (birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate), a Social Security document, and two proofs of address from different sources within the last 60 days. There's no extra fee with a standard renewal, but a $20 fee applies for a mid-cycle upgrade. Full details are on the official Delaware REAL ID page. For general steps that apply across most states, see the Driver's License in the USA guide and the DMV Test in Arabic guide.
Taxes in Delaware: No Sales Tax at All
Delaware is one of only five U.S. states with no general sales tax on retail purchases — a real financial advantage you'll notice from your very first purchase, whether it's furniture, electronics, or a car.
| Tax type | Status (as of September 2026) |
|---|---|
| General consumer sales tax | None |
| Individual income tax (progressive) | 2.2% to 6.60% |
| Taxable income bracket | Rate |
|---|---|
| Under $60,000 | 2.2% to 5.55%, graduated by bracket |
| $60,000 and above | 6.60% |
These brackets are confirmed by the Delaware Division of Revenue. Don't confuse the absence of sales tax with an absence of income tax — the latter fully applies. For steps on your first filing, see the First Tax Return guide and the complete U.S. Taxes guide. If you don't have a Social Security number, start with the ITIN Number guide.
Health Coverage: Delaware Medicaid and the Federal Marketplace
If your job doesn't offer health insurance, Delaware Medicaid is run by the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) under the state Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). Like Michigan, Delaware does not run its own marketplace — it uses the federal healthcare.gov to enroll in subsidized plans or get routed to Medicaid if your income qualifies.
To understand the difference between plans, see the Health Insurance in the USA guide and the Medicaid for Immigrants guide, and check enrollment timing in the Marketplace Open Enrollment guide.
Delaware's 2026 Minimum Wage
Per the official U.S. Department of Labor state minimum wage table, Delaware's minimum wage is $15.00 per hour. This is the final ceiling the state reached after a series of scheduled step increases, not a figure that automatically rises every year the way it does in some other states.
Always check the current figure on the official U.S. DOL state-by-state table before making a financial decision, and to compare against other states, see the Minimum Wage by State guide.
Renting and Tenant Rights: A New Rule Starting September 2026
Before signing any lease in Delaware, know the basics of your rights as a tenant:
- Landlords must return the security deposit, or the balance after documented damage, within 20 days of lease termination.
- If the landlord misses this deadline and you provided a forwarding address on time, you can claim double the deposit amount.
- For late rent or lease violations, tenants generally get at least 7 days to fix the issue before any court action.
- New: starting September 1, 2026, per Delaware Courts, a tenant facing eviction for unpaid rent has a right of redemption — they can stay in the unit by paying the full amount owed before a final eviction order is issued.
For the full official reference, see the Delaware Courts landlord-tenant page. If you don't have a credit history yet, see the Renting an Apartment with No Credit guide.
Enrolling Kids in School
Every child residing in Delaware has the right to attend free public school regardless of their or their family's immigration status, under a longstanding federal principle that bars U.S. schools from denying enrollment over immigration status. Enrollment runs through the local school district covering your home address.
For the state-level official reference, see the Delaware Department of Education. For the general step-by-step process, see the Enrolling Kids in U.S. Schools guide.
Arab and Muslim Community Resources in Delaware
Masjid al Kauthar in Wilmington and Masjid Ibrahim in Newark remain the two most prominent religious centers serving the state's Arab and Muslim community, alongside smaller centers tied to local Islamic schools that offer religious education for children.
For more resources and vetted service providers near you, browse our Delaware business and services directory, and to find prayer times in your city, see our prayer times page.
Common Mistakes New Arrivals Make in Delaware
- Assuming the driving test is automatically offered in Arabic. Call the DMV first to confirm.
- Thinking no sales tax means no income tax either. The progressive income tax fully applies and reaches 6.60%.
- Forgetting to give the landlord a forwarding address when moving out. Without it, you may lose your right to claim double the deposit if the landlord is late returning it.
- Relying on outdated eviction-law information. The new right of redemption effective September 2026 changes several steps, so always check the latest update.
What's Next
Once you've handled the Delaware basics, these are the logical next steps:
- Driver's License in the USA guide for the general process before your DMV visit.
- Renting an Apartment with No Credit guide if you've just arrived and don't have a U.S. credit history yet.
- First 90 Days in the USA guide if you haven't set your basic priorities yet.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Delaware's Arab and Muslim community concentrated?
Mainly in New Castle County, between Wilmington and Newark near the University of Delaware, home to the state's oldest and largest mosques.
Is the Delaware driver's knowledge test available in Arabic?
Unconfirmed. Official manuals are available in Chinese, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, but there's no official mention of Arabic. Call the Delaware DMV directly to confirm before your appointment.
Does Delaware have a sales tax?
No. Delaware is one of the few U.S. states with no general sales tax on retail purchases, one of its biggest financial advantages for residents.
What is Delaware's income tax rate?
A progressive tax from 2.2% to 5.55% on taxable income under $60,000, and 6.60% on income at or above that, per the state Division of Revenue.
What is Delaware's Medicaid program called?
Delaware Medicaid is run through the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) under the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS); the state uses the federal healthcare.gov marketplace rather than its own exchange.
What is Delaware's minimum wage in 2026?
$15.00 per hour, per the official U.S. Department of Labor state table — the final target Delaware reached after a series of scheduled increases.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Delaware?
20 days from lease termination; if the landlord misses this and the tenant provided a forwarding address on time, the tenant can claim double the deposit.
What changed in Delaware eviction law as of September 2026?
Per Delaware Courts, starting September 1, 2026, a tenant facing eviction for unpaid rent has a right of redemption — they can stay in the unit by paying the full amount owed before the final eviction order.
Official sources we reviewed
- Delaware DMV ↗
- Delaware DMV – REAL ID ↗
- Delaware Division of Revenue – Personal Income Tax FAQs ↗
- Delaware Dept. of Health and Social Services (DHSS) ↗
- HealthCare.gov ↗
- U.S. Department of Labor – State Minimum Wage Laws ↗
- Delaware Courts – Landlord/Tenant ↗
- Delaware Department of Education ↗
- HUD USER – Fair Market Rents ↗