Movers

DC to Delaware Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 93 mile interstate move from DC to Delaware? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs Delaware across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower living expenses), food & health (like Half-Smoke vs Scrapple), real estate & housing (victorian, row house vs ranch, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Half-Smoke and Mumbo Sauce with Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Scrapple & Broiled Chicken with Slippery Dumplings
  • Delaware housing costs are 38% less expensive than they are in DC
  • Rent in Delaware is 22.86% more affordable than in DC
  • Moving from DC to Delaware will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended DC to Delaware movers is Bookstore Movers

DC to Delaware Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Delaware

ConsDC iconDC
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic congestion
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Limited coastline
  • Lack of state tax benefits
ProsDelaware iconDelaware
  • Lower living expenses
  • Less traffic
  • Quieter environment
  • Beaches and waterfronts
  • No sales tax

Delaware iconDelaware
  • Fewer historical sites
  • Fewer entertainment options
  • Less public transport
  • Fewer job prospects
  • Less cultural diversity
DC iconDC
  • Rich history and culture
  • Vibrant nightlife
  • Public transport options
  • Professional opportunities
  • Diverse population

Pros of moving from DC to Delaware

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower living expenses
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic congestion and moving to Delaware with less traffic
  • Swap the fast-paced lifestyle of DC for a quieter environment in Delaware
  • Get ready for beaches and waterfronts in Delaware

Cons of moving from DC to Delaware

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history and culture in DC to live with fewer historical sites in Delaware
  • You'll lose out on the pro of vibrant nightlife and have to settle for the con of fewer entertainment options
  • Time to bid farewell to public transport options and get used to less public transport in Delaware
  • Swap professional opportunities for fewer job prospects

DC vs. Delaware: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonDCDelaware
Most iconic local food itemHalf-SmokeScrapple
Most popular meat dishMumbo Sauce with ChickenBroiled Chicken with Slippery Dumplings
Most popular street food itemFood Trucks (Various Cuisines)Italian Sausage Sandwiches
Most popular vegan foodFalafelRoasted Vegetable Wraps
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Rosa's Taco Shop
  • Zaytinya
  • Harry's Savoy Grill
  • Deer Park Tavern
  • Matt's Fish Camp
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’Ŗ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie ScenešŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from DC to Delaware, you will be trading the iconic Half-Smoke of DC for the equally delicious Scrapple of Delaware. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo Sauce with Chicken and sumptuous Food Trucks (Various Cuisines), Delaware residents know they have tasty Broiled Chicken with Slippery Dumplings and Italian Sausage Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Falafel they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Roasted Vegetable Wraps of Delaware. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Rosa's Taco Shop, and Zaytinya. After the boxes are unpacked in Delaware, don't wait too long before making your way to Delaware's acclaimed eateries like Harry's Savoy Grill, Deer Park Tavern, and Matt's Fish Camp.

When comparing lifestyles, Delaware shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than DC. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Delaware compared to what you are used to in DC. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Delaware.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and Delaware

ComparisonDCDelaware
Typical Architecture StyleVictorian, Row HouseRanch, Colonial
WalkabilityšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestylešŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļø
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingOpen floor plans, Rooftop decksSpacious yards, Quiet neighborhoods
  • The Victorian and Row House architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Colonial architecture typical of Delaware.
  • Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference open floor plans and rooftop decks, Delaware real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Delaware is less walkable than DC.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Delaware is less bike-friendly than DC.
  • Delaware has less of an urban feel than DC.
  • Delaware housing costs are 38% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $385,745 compared to DC’s $619,320.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Delaware have increased by 42% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
  • Rent in Delaware is 22.86% more affordable than in DC.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between DC and Delaware

ComparisonDCDelaware
Days of Sunshine per Yearā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļø
Avg. Annual HumidityšŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļø
Natural DisastersHurricanes, FloodsHurricanes, Nor'easters
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (°F)89/7187/66
Average Winter High/Low (°F)47/3045/28
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4045
Annual Snowfall (Inches)15.520.5
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from DC to Delaware. Delaware gets 2% fewer sunshine days than DC.
  • Delaware has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to DC.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in DC, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware.
  • The average summer high temperature in Delaware is 2 degrees colder than in DC.
  • The average winter lows are 2 degrees colder than they are in DC.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Delaware, as Delaware receives 5 more inches of rain compared to DC.

Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Delaware

ComparisonDCDelaware
Avg. Household Income$101,027$82,174
Cost of Living Index140.1102.45
State Income Tax6-10%2.2-6.6%
Avg. Property Tax0.56%0.56%
Avg. Sales Tax6%0%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Education, Professional ServicesFinance, Healthcare, Agriculture
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessVisibleLess Visible
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Delaware tend to earn about 19% less than those in DC
  • The COLI in Delaware will be 27% lower than what you are used to living in DC
  • The state income tax in DE is 2.2-6.6% compared to 6-10% in DC
  • The affluence in Delaware is moderate compared to high in DC
  • The poverty level is low in Delaware compared to moderate in DC
  • In terms of homelessness, it is visible in DC and less visible in Delaware

Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. Delaware

ComparisonDCDelaware
Political Make-upHeavily DemocraticLeans Democratic
Local PoliticsFocus on federal governance, civil rightsStatewide issues, business-friendly policies
ReligionMixed, with a significant Catholic presenceProtestant majority, diverse religious communities
  • DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
  • Delaware, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
  • Delaware's religious environment can be described as having a Protestant majority and diverse religious communities
  • DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with a significant Catholic presence

Education Guide When Moving from DC to Delaware

ComparisonDCDelaware
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maryland
George Washington University
Howard University
University of Delaware
Delaware State University
Wilmington University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsJanney Elementary
Lafayette Elementary
Mann Elementary
Charter School of Wilmington
Newark Charter Jr./Sr. High School
Sussex Academy
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDeal Middle School
Hardy Middle School
Jefferson Middle School Academy
Cab Calloway School of the Arts
Postlethwait (F. Niel) Middle School
Alfred G. Waters Middle School
Top 3 High School SchoolsWilson High School
School Without Walls High School
Banneker High School
Charter School of Wilmington
Newark Charter High School
Sussex Technical High School
Top 3 private high schoolsSidwell Friends
Georgetown Day School
National Cathedral School
Tower Hill School
Wilmington Friends School
St. Andrew's School
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsMaret School
St. Albans School
Georgetown Day School
Tower Hill School
Sanford School
St. Andrew's School
Top 3 School DistrictsDistrict of Columbia Public SchoolsBrandywine School District
Caesar Rodney School District
Red Clay Consolidated School District

How Much Do DC to Delaware Movers Cost?

Moving 93 miles from DC to Delaware will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,067300 ft3$3.56
1 Bedroom$1,581450 ft3$3.51
2 Bedrooms$2,604750 ft3$3.47
3 Bedrooms$3,7721100 ft3$3.43
4 Bedrooms$5,4181600 ft3$3.39
5+ Bedrooms$6,0191800 ft3$3.34

Top DC to Delaware Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best DC to Delaware movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for DC to Delaware

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Ap Pro Moving Llc featured image

Ap Pro Moving Llc

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details

Washington DC to Delaware