California to Delaware Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 2,883 mile interstate move from California to Delaware? This moving guide will help you compare living in California vs Delaware across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower housing prices), food & health (like Sourdough Bread vs Scrapple), real estate & housing (modern, spanish vs colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Sourdough Bread and Trip-tip, but get your taste buds ready for Scrapple & Chicken and Slippery Dumplings
- Delaware housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in California
- Rent in Delaware is 32.11% more affordable than in California
- Moving from California to Delaware will cost on average between $3,000 - $10,000
- Our top recommended California to Delaware movers is OCD Moving Services LLC
California to Delaware Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from California to Delaware
- High cost of living
- Severe droughts
- Heavy traffic
- High taxes
- Frequent wildfires
- Lower housing prices
- Ample rainfall
- Lighter traffic
- No sales tax
- Safer environment
- Fewer tech job opportunities
- Colder winter months
- Less cultural diversity
- No Pacific Ocean access
- Fewer mountains
- Vibrant tech industry
- Year-round good weather
- Rich cultural scene
- Stunning coastline
- Varied terrain
Pros of moving from California to Delaware
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower housing prices
- Look forward to moving away from severe droughts and moving to Delaware with ample rainfall
- Swap the heavy traffic of California for lighter traffic in Delaware
- Get ready for no sales tax in Delaware
Cons of moving from California to Delaware
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant tech industry in California to live with fewer tech job opportunities in Delaware
- You'll lose out on the pro of year-round good weather and have to settle with the con of colder winter months
- Time to bid farewell to the rich cultural scene and get used to less cultural diversity in Delaware
- Swap the stunning coastline for no Pacific Ocean access
California vs. Delaware: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | California | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Sourdough Bread | Scrapple |
Most popular meat dish | Trip-tip | Chicken and Slippery Dumplings |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Italian Sub |
Most popular vegan food | Acai Bowl | Seitan BBQ Ribs |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from California to Delaware, you will be trading the iconic Sourdough Bread of California for the equally delicious Scrapple of Delaware. And while the locals in California rave about their flavorful Tri-tip and sumptuous Tacos, Delaware residents know they have tasty Chicken, Slippery Dumplings, and Italian Sub to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Acai Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan BBQ Ribs of Delaware. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic California eateries like Chez Panisse, The French Laundry, and Zuni CafΓ©. After the boxes are unpacked in Delaware, don't wait too long before making your way to Delaware's acclaimed eateries like The House of William and Merry, Deer Park Tavern, and Iron Hill Brewery.
When comparing lifestyles, Delaware shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than California. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Delaware compared to what you are used to in California. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Delaware.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between California and Delaware
Comparison | California | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern, Spanish | Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean views, Sustainability | Historic charm, Spacious backyards |
- The Modern and Spanish architecture that California is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Delaware.
- Compared to California's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and sustainability, Delaware real estate listings often highlight features like historic charm and spacious backyards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Delaware is less walkable than California.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Delaware is less bike-friendly than California.
- Delaware has less of an urban feel than California.
- Delaware housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in California, with a median home price of $385,745 compared to Californiaβs $783,666.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Delaware have increased 42% compared to a 42% increase in California.
- Rent in Delaware is 32.11% more affordable than in California.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between California and Delaware
Comparison | California | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Earthquakes, Wildfires | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Varies widely | Mostly Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 60Β°F | 87Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 68Β°F / 48Β°F | 45Β°F / 28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 7 | 20 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from California to Delaware. Delaware gets 30% fewer sunshine days than California.
- Delaware has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to California.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in California, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware.
- The average summer high temperature in Delaware is 2 degrees warmer than in California.
- The average winter lows in Delaware are 20 degrees colder than those in California.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Delaware. Delaware receives 23 more inches of rain compared to California.
Financial & Community Snapshot: California and Delaware
Comparison | California | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $91,551 | $82,174 |
Cost of Living Index | 136.4 | 102.45 |
State Income Tax | 13.3% | 6.6% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.73% | 0.56% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.25% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Film, Agriculture | Finance, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Significant | Moderate |
Homelessness | Critical | Manageable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Delaware tend to earn about 10% less than in California
- The COLI in Delaware is 25% lower than what you are used to living in California
- The state income tax in DE is 6.6% compared to 13.3% in CA
- The affluence in Delaware is moderate compared to high in California
- The poverty level is moderate in Delaware compared to significant in California
- In terms of homelessness, it is critical in California and manageable in Delaware
Political and Religious Climate in California vs. Delaware
Comparison | California | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Democratic | Leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Progressive policies in urban areas | Moderate, with a blend of urban and rural priorities |
Religion | Diverse, with no single majority | Largely Christian, but growing diversity |
- California tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
- Delaware, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Delaware's religious environment can be described as largely Christian but with growing diversity
- California's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with no single majority
Education Guide When Moving from California to Delaware
Comparison | California | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | UCLA UC Berkeley Stanford | University of Delaware Delaware State University Wilmington University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Orion Alternative (Redwood City) Millikin Basics+ (Santa Clara) Pacific Elementary (Manhattan Beach) | Charter School of Wilmington (Wilmington) Newark Charter School (Newark) Sussex Academy (Georgetown) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Preuss School UCSD (La Jolla) Whitney High School (Cerritos) Hawthorne Math and Science Academy (Hawthorne) | Conrad Schools of Science (Wilmington) Newark Charter School (Newark) Sussex Academy (Georgetown) |
Top 3 High Schools | Whitney High School (Cerritos) California Academy of Mathematics and Science (Carson) Oxford Academy (Cypress) | Charter School of Wilmington (Wilmington) Newark Charter School (Newark) Cab Calloway School of the Arts (Wilmington) |
Top 3 private high schools | Harvard-Westlake School (Studio City) The Webb Schools (Claremont) Castilleja School (Palo Alto) | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) Saint Mark's High School (Wilmington) Archmere Academy (Claymont) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Nueva School (Hillsborough) Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences (Santa Monica) The Athenian School (Danville) | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) Sanford School (Hockessin) Tatnall School (Wilmington) |
Top 3 School Districts | Palo Alto Unified San Marino Unified La CaΓ±ada Unified | Appoquinimink School District Brandywine School District Red Clay Consolidated School District |
How Much Do California to Delaware Movers Cost?
Moving 2,883 miles from California to Delaware will typically cost between $4,000 and $10,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $10,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: CC Relocation, Inc.
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,837 | 300 ft3 | $9.46 |
1 Bedroom | $4,233 | 450 ft3 | $9.41 |
2 Bedrooms | $7,017 | 750 ft3 | $9.36 |
3 Bedrooms | $10,237 | 1100 ft3 | $9.31 |
4 Bedrooms | $14,810 | 1600 ft3 | $9.26 |
5+ Bedrooms | $16,572 | 1800 ft3 | $9.21 |
Top California to Delaware Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best California to Delaware movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

OCD Moving Services LLC
Best moving company overall for California to Delaware