Have questions about what you're reading? A specialist can walk you through real costs, honest comparisons, and what's actually available right now — free, no obligation.
Talk to a Specialist →Main Line Adjacent: Delaware County's Identity
Delaware County occupies the southwestern edge of the Philadelphia metro, running adjacent to the famous Main Line corridor and wrapping around Philadelphia International Airport. I-95 and I-476 (the Blue Route) are the primary highways, and towns like Haverford sit close enough to the city and airport that Center City Philadelphia is generally a 20–30 minute drive in normal conditions — closer than most of Bucks, Montgomery, or Chester County, though as always exact times depend on your specific starting point.
That proximity to the Main Line — one of the most prestigious residential corridors in the Philadelphia region — is Delaware County's defining feature. It's also close to the airport, which matters if frequent flying to see family or travel is part of your retirement plan.
The Communities in and Around Delaware County
Athertyn: The Reliable Anchor
Athertyn at Haverford Reserve in Haverford Township is Delaware County's clearest, most confidently placed 55+ community — a luxury development genuinely adjacent to the Main Line. If you're researching Delaware County specifically, Athertyn is the community most worth touring first.
Being Upfront About the Rest of the List
Some sources associate a small number of additional communities with Delaware County, but their city and county labels don't consistently line up with Delaware County — a few appear to actually sit in Bucks or Montgomery County depending on the source. Rather than presenting names we can't confidently confirm as Delaware County properties, we'd rather be straight with you: verify the specific municipality and taxing county for any community you're told is “in Delaware County” before you factor it into a comparison. Athertyn is the one we can confirm outright.
Ready to move from research to real conversations about this community?
We connect buyers with agents who know this market from the inside — real cost math, honest comparisons, and what's actually happening right now. Every agent is personally vetted by the Nova55Living founder. No scripts, no pressure.
The Cost of Delaware County's Address
Delaware County's effective property tax rate runs roughly 1.9–2.2%, generally rounding to about 2.0% — the highest of the four Pennsylvania counties covered here. On a $500,000 home that's approximately $10,000 a year; on a $700,000 home, approximately $14,000. As with the rest of Pennsylvania, Social Security, pensions, and retirement account distributions are exempt from state income tax, but the property tax line here runs noticeably higher than Montgomery, Bucks, or Chester County.
PA Relief Programs Still Apply
The Act 1 Homestead Exemption reduces assessed value by $15,000–$50,000 depending on school district, filed once with the county assessment office, typically by March 1, no income limit. The PA Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program (Form PA-1000) can return up to $1,000 annually for homeowners 65+ with household income under $45,000, filed by June 30. Both stack, and combined savings of $1,500–$3,000 a year matter more here than anywhere else in the metro given the higher base rate — but you must file for both. Confirm current thresholds with a tax professional.
What You're Paying For — and What You're Not
| County | Eff. Rate | Tax — $500K Home/Yr | Tax — $700K Home/Yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery | ~1.7% | ~$8,500 | ~$11,900 |
| Bucks | ~1.8% | ~$9,000 | ~$12,600 |
| Chester | ~1.9% | ~$9,500 | ~$13,300 |
| Delaware | ~2.0% | ~$10,000 | ~$14,000 |
| South Jersey | ~2.1% | ~$10,500 | ~$14,700 |
Delaware County costs the most of the four PA counties, and it doesn't offer anywhere near Chester County's resale depth or Bucks County's roster of new Toll Brothers construction. What it does offer is proximity — closest to both the airport and the Main Line's prestige address of any county in this market — plus Athertyn as a genuinely luxury option.
Who Should Look at Delaware County
Delaware County tends to fit buyers for whom Main Line proximity and airport access matter more than tax rate or community selection — frequent flyers, buyers with strong ties to the Main Line social and cultural scene, and buyers specifically drawn to Athertyn's particular offering. If inventory depth or the lowest possible tax bill is your top priority, Chester or Montgomery County will likely serve you better.
The Rest of the Philadelphia Corridors
Return to the Philadelphia Hub
← Back to the Philadelphia & Delaware Valley market hub for the full county comparison and PA tax relief walkthroughs.
Considering Delaware County?
We connect buyers with agents who know Athertyn and the broader Main Line-adjacent market, and can help you weigh the higher tax rate against proximity to the airport and Main Line.
Get Matched With a Delaware County Specialist