๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 104 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Bear CDP, DE

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 27 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$57,605
across 27 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$55,657
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$128,596
1BR Rent
$1,242
median monthly

Bear CDP, Delaware, isn't the first place you'd think of for a tech salary, but the data shows it punches way above its weight. The median household income here is nearly $89,000, which is genuinely surprising for a town of just 22,000 people. Itโ€™s a quiet pocket of financial stability in the mid-Atlantic.

Don't let the 103.5 cost of living index fool youโ€”itโ€™s only 3.5% above the national average. Thatโ€™s a bargain compared to nearby Philadelphia or Baltimore. For software developers earning a COL-adjusted $124,247, that means real purchasing power. Even the median income buys you a decent one-bedroom apartment for $1,242 a month with money left over, which you canโ€™t say for many suburbs this close to a major city.

So whoโ€™s fueling this? Bear sits in the heart of New Castle County, a corridor for corporate offices, logistics giants like Amazon, and healthcare systems. The top earners here are the ones youโ€™d expect: software developers, accountants, and nurses. It's less about a single local industry and more about the spillover from the broader metro economy, where you can command city-lite salaries without the city price tag.

Hereโ€™s the honest catch: wages for teachers and electricians, at around $62,000, feel tight against that median. The city works if you're in a high-demand professional field; if you're not, the cost of living feels steeper than the index suggests. Itโ€™s a great place to build a career if youโ€™re already on that upward track.

The numbers below break down exactly where you stand, from top-paying jobs to the real cost of living in Bear.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Bear CDP

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ +1% vs national

Software Developer

$128,596
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $124,247
โฑ Hourly $61.83/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ +1% vs national

Accountant

$86,983
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $84,042
โฑ Hourly $41.82/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ +1% vs national

Registered Nurse

$86,973
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $84,032
โฑ Hourly $41.81/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ +1% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$64,338
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $62,162
โฑ Hourly $30.93/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ +1% vs national

Electrician

$62,196
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $60,093
โฑ Hourly $29.90/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 27 Occupations in Bear CDP

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (104/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $128,596
2 Accountant $86,983
3 Registered Nurse $86,973
4 Elementary School Teacher $64,338
5 Electrician $62,196
6 Real Estate Agent $62,125
7 Heavy Truck Driver $53,647
8 Paralegal $50,525
9 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $50,525
10 Welder $50,525
11 Construction Manager $50,525
12 Police Officer $50,525
13 Project Manager $50,525
14 Graphic Designer $50,525
15 Data Analyst $50,525
16 Plumber $50,525
17 Physical Therapist $50,525
18 Dental Hygienist $50,525
19 Carpenter $50,525
20 Human Resources Specialist $50,525
21 Financial Analyst $50,525
22 Pharmacist $50,525
23 HVAC Technician $50,525
24 Web Developer $50,525
25 Firefighter $50,525
26 Marketing Manager $50,525
27 Medical Assistant $50,525

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Bear CDP

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,242/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,552/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$280,200
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
4.0%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$88,985
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
31%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
104
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Bear CDP?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Bear CDP. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Bear CDP Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Bear CDP, DE?

โ–ผ
Across 40 occupations, the average salary in Bear CDP is $57,605. This is lower than the median household income of $88,985, suggesting many households rely on multiple earners or higher-paying roles.

What jobs pay the most in Bear CDP?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Bear CDP is Software Developer at $128,596. This is more than double the area's average salary of $57,605.

Is Bear CDP affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $128,596 is well above the median household income of $88,985 and covers the local cost of living comfortably. With a 1BR rent of $1,242/month, housing costs are manageable at this income level.

How does Bear CDP's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Bear CDP has a cost of living index of 103.5, meaning expenses are 3.5% higher than the national average. This slightly reduces the purchasing power of a $57,605 average salary.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Bear CDP?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, a salary around $88,985 aligns with the median household income and covers typical expenses. This is 54% higher than the area's average salary of $57,605, indicating many residents may need higher-paying roles or dual incomes.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Bear CDP Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my take: Bear isnโ€™t a bargain. With a 103.5 cost-of-living index and rent at $1,242 a month, the $57,605 average salary doesnโ€™t stretch far. Tech is the clear exception; Software Developers are pulling down $128,596, and even after adjusting for COL, theyโ€™re still winning at $124,247. For healthcare and trades, the math is tougherโ€”you'll need to hustle or commute to make it work.

If youโ€™re in tech, Bear is a solid base. For everyone else, itโ€™s a tougher sell. My verdict? Itโ€™s worth it if your earnings are well above the local average, especially in tech.

Advice: Donโ€™t move here for a job that pays under $70k. If you do, negotiate hard or have a roommate.

Explore Bear CDP Further