How much does smoking cost in Delaware? (2026)
$9.94
average pack in Delaware (Jan 2026), #28 most expensive of 51. State excise $2.10 + federal $1.01.
$3,628a year for a pack a day
5.2%average yearly price rise, 2016–2026
$46,725roughly, the next 10 years at that pace
A pack a day since…
| Started | Spent (real Delaware prices) | Same money in the S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $27,385 | $58,028 |
| 2006 | $46,319 | $180,979 |
| 1996 | $56,529 | $281,344 |
Monthly, through December 2025. S&P 500 total returns with dividends (A. Damodaran, NYU Stern). Historical illustration, not a prediction.
50+ years of pack prices in Delaware
| 1970 | $0.41 |
| 1980 | $0.66 |
| 1990 | $1.43 |
| 2000 | $2.89 |
| 2010 | $5.58 |
| 2020 | $6.68 |
| 2026 | $9.94 |
Sources: CDC, The Tax Burden on Tobacco (1970–2019); Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (2020–2026).
Join the trend
In Delaware, 9.4% of adults smoke, down from 21.8% in 2011. 27.2% are former smokers: more people in Delaware have quit than still smoke.
CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2011–2025.
All 50 states and DC · Made by a smoker, for smokers.