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Delaware to California Moving Guide

Updated June 23, 2025

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Planning a 2,891 mile interstate move from Delaware to California? This moving guide will help you compare living in Delaware vs California across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher job competition vs greater job opportunities), food & health (like Scrapple vs Sourdough Bread), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs modern, spanish revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Scrapple and Chicken Bog, but get your taste buds ready for Sourdough Bread & Tri-tip
  • California housing costs are 103% more expensive than they are in Delaware
  • Rent in California is 47.30% more expensive than in Delaware
  • Moving from Delaware to California will cost on average between $3,000 - $10,500
  • Our top recommended Delaware to California movers is OCD Moving Services LLC

Delaware to California Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Delaware to California

ConsDelaware iconDelaware
  • Higher job competition
  • Limited cultural diversity
  • Smaller cities
  • Fewer entertainment options
ProsCalifornia iconCalifornia
  • Greater job opportunities
  • Cultural melting pot
  • Vibrant urban life
  • Endless entertainment

California iconCalifornia
  • Higher living expenses
  • Risk of wildfires
  • Traffic congestion
  • Hectic lifestyle
Delaware iconDelaware
  • Lower cost of living
  • Seasonal weather
  • Small-town charm
  • Quiet neighborhoods

Pros of moving from Delaware to California

  • Say goodbye to higher job competition and hello to greater job opportunities
  • Look forward to moving away from limited cultural diversity and moving to California with its cultural melting pot
  • Swap the smaller cities of Delaware for vibrant urban life in California
  • Get ready for endless entertainment in California

Cons of moving from Delaware to California

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Delaware to live with higher living expenses in California
  • You'll lose out on the pro of seasonal weather and have to settle for the con of the risk of wildfires
  • Time to bid farewell to small-town charm and get used to traffic congestion in California
  • Swap quiet neighborhoods for a hectic lifestyle

Delaware vs. California: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonDelawareCalifornia
Most iconic local food itemScrappleSourdough Bread
Most popular meat dishChicken BogTri-tip
Most popular street food itemItalian IceFish Tacos
Most popular vegan foodSeitan BBQAvocado Toast
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Harry's Savoy Grill
  • Deer Park Tavern
  • Bluecoast Seafood Grill
  • The Cheesecake Factory
  • In-N-Out Burger
  • The French Laundry
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Delaware to California, you will be trading the iconic Scrapple of Delaware for the equally delicious Sourdough Bread of California. And while the locals in Delaware rave about their flavorful Chicken Bog and sumptuous Italian Ice, California residents know they have tasty Tri-tip and Fish Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan BBQ they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Avocado Toast of California. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Delaware eateries like Harry's Savoy Grill, Deer Park Tavern, and Bluecoast Seafood Grill. After the boxes are unpacked in California, don't wait too long before making your way to California's acclaimed eateries like The Cheesecake Factory, In-N-Out Burger, and The French Laundry.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Delaware and California

ComparisonDelawareCalifornia
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchModern, Spanish Revival
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingFamily-friendly, Proximity to beachesEco-friendly features, Proximity to tech hubs
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Delaware is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Spanish Revival architecture typical of California.
  • Compared to Delaware's real estate listings that commonly reference family-friendly features and proximity to beaches, California real estate listings often highlight eco-friendly features and proximity to tech hubs.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; California is more walkable than Delaware.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; California is more bike-friendly than Delaware.
  • California has more of an urban feel than Delaware.
  • California housing costs are 103% more expensive than they are in Delaware, with a median home price of $783,666 compared to Delaware’s $385,745.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in California have increased by 42%, compared to a 42% increase in Delaware.
  • Rent in California is 47.30% more expensive than in Delaware.

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

ComparisonDelawareCalifornia
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHurricanes, Nor'eastersEarthquakes, Wildfires
Air QualityModerateVaries significantly
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F/66Β°F85Β°F/60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)44Β°F/28Β°F68Β°F/48Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)45"Varies by region: 22”-45”
Annual Snowfall (Inches)20.2"Varies significantly
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Delaware to California. California gets 42% more sunshine days than Delaware.
  • California has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Delaware.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in California.
  • The average summer high temperature in California is degrees the same as Delaware.
  • The average winter lows are 20 degrees warmer than they are in Delaware.
  • Your umbrella might be used the same in California. California receives inches of rain compared to Delaware.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Delaware and California

ComparisonDelawareCalifornia
Avg. Household Income$82,174$91,551
Cost of Living Index102.45136.4
State Income Tax6.6%13.3%
Avg. Property Tax0.56%0.75%
Avg. Sales Tax0%7.25%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Manufacturing, AgricultureTechnology, Entertainment, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in California tend to earn about 11% more than in Delaware
  • The COLI in California will be 33% higher than what you are used to living in Delaware
  • The state income tax in California is 13.3% compared to 6.6% in Delaware
  • The affluence in California is high compared to moderate in Delaware
  • The poverty level is moderate in California compared to low in Delaware
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Delaware and high in California

Political and Religious Climate in Delaware vs. California

ComparisonDelawareCalifornia
Political Make-upDemocratic-leaningStrongly Democratic-leaning
Local PoliticsModerate with a balance of urban and rural perspectivesProgressive, with a focus on environmental and social policies
ReligionChristianity predominates, diverse religious communitiesLargely secular, wide variety of religions and beliefs
  • Delaware tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
  • California, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic-leaning
  • California's religious environment can be described as largely secular with a wide variety of religions and beliefs
  • Delaware's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Delaware to California

ComparisonDelawareCalifornia
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Delaware
Newark
Delaware State University
Dover
Wilmington University
New Castle
University of California
Los Angeles
University of California
Berkeley
Stanford University
Stanford
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLancashire Elementary School
Wilmington
Star Hill Elementary School
Dover
North Star Elementary School
Hockessin
Point Vicente Elementary School
Rancho Palos Verdes
Hawes Elementary School
Redwood City
Mount Woodson Elementary School
Ramona
Top 3 Middle SchoolsH.B. Du Pont Middle School
Hockessin
Alfred G. Waters Middle School
Middletown
Conrad Schools of Science
Wilmington
Carmel Valley Middle School
San Diego
Miller Creek Middle School
San Rafael
Los Cerros Middle School
Danville
Top 3 High School SchoolsCharter School of Wilmington
Wilmington
Conrad Schools of Science
Wilmington
Cab Calloway School of the Arts
Wilmington
Henry M. Gunn High School
Palo Alto
Torrance High School
Torrance
California Academy of Mathematics and Science
Carson
Top 3 private high schoolsTower Hill School
Wilmington
Wilmington Friends School
Wilmington
St. Andrew's School
Middletown
Harvard-Westlake School
Los Angeles
The Harker School
San Jose
Phillips Academy
Andover
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsTatnall School
Wilmington
Sanford School
Hockessin
Wilmington Friends School
Wilmington
The Nueva School
Hillsborough
Crossroads School
Santa Monica
The Webb Schools
Claremont
Top 3 School DistrictsAppoquinimink School District
Caesar Rodney School District
Red Clay Consolidated School District
Palo Alto Unified School District
San Marino Unified School District
La CaΓ±ada Unified School District

How Much Do Delaware to California Movers Cost?

Moving 2,891 miles from Delaware to California will typically cost between $4,000 and $10,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $4,000 - $10,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: CC Relocation, Inc.
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,841300 ft3$9.47
1 Bedroom$4,240450 ft3$9.42
2 Bedrooms$7,029750 ft3$9.37
3 Bedrooms$10,2541100 ft3$9.32
4 Bedrooms$14,8351600 ft3$9.27
5+ Bedrooms$16,5991800 ft3$9.22

Top Delaware to California Movers

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

TOP PICK
OCD Moving Services LLC featured image

OCD Moving Services LLC

Best moving company overall for Delaware to California

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Pure Moving featured image

Pure Moving

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
SSW Moving & Junk Removal featured image

SSW Moving & Junk Removal

9.08/10
ExceptionalView details