Delaware to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 90 mile interstate move from Delaware to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Delaware vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited nightlife vs vibrant entertainment), food & health (like Scrapple vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs victorian, federal), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Scrapple and Fried Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce with Wings
- D.C. housing costs are 61% more expensive than they are in Delaware
- Rent in D.C. is 29.64% more expensive than in Delaware
- Moving from Delaware to DC will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Delaware to DC movers is Bookstore Movers
Delaware to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Delaware to DC
- Limited nightlife
- Fewer job opportunities
- Rural areas
- Less cultural diversity
- Limited public transit
- Vibrant entertainment
- Expansive job market
- Urban lifestyle
- Rich cultural mix
- Efficient metro system
- Higher expenses
- Noisy atmosphere
- Anonymity in crowds
- Heavy traffic
- No beaches nearby
- Lower cost of living
- Quiet environment
- Close-knit community
- Less traffic congestion
- Peaceful beaches
Pros of moving from Delaware to DC
- Say goodbye to limited nightlife and hello to vibrant entertainment
- Look forward to moving away from fewer job opportunities and moving to DC with an expansive job market
- Swap the rural areas of Delaware for an urban lifestyle in DC
- Get ready for a rich cultural mix in DC
Cons of moving from Delaware to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Delaware to live with higher expenses in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of a quiet environment and have to settle with the con of a noisy atmosphere
- Time to bid farewell to a close-knit community and get used to anonymity in crowds in DC
- Swap less traffic congestion for heavy traffic
Delaware vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Delaware | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Scrapple | Half-Smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | Mumbo Sauce with Wings |
Most popular street food item | Italian Water Ice | Food Trucks' Varieties |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Crab Cakes | Jackfruit Tacos |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | 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 Delaware to DC, you will be trading the iconic Scrapple of Delaware for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Delaware rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Italian Water Ice, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce with Wings and Food Trucks' Varieties to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Crab Cakes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Delaware eateries like Deer Park Tavern, Harry's Savoy Grill, and Matilda's Pub. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Rose's Luxury.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Delaware. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in Delaware. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Delaware and DC
Comparison | Delaware | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Victorian, Federal |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Quiet neighborhoods | Proximity to metro, Historic landmarks |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Delaware is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Federal architecture typical of D.C.
- Compared to Delaware's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, D.C. real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to metro and historic landmarks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. D.C. is more walkable than Delaware.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. D.C. is more bike-friendly than Delaware.
- D.C. has more of an urban feel than Delaware.
- D.C. housing costs are 61% more expensive than they are in Delaware, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Delawareβs $385,745.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in D.C. have increased by 8% compared to a 42% increase in Delaware.
- Rent in D.C. is 29.64% more expensive than in Delaware.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Delaware and DC
Comparison | Delaware | DC |
---|---|---|
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 | Nor'easters, Hurricanes | Same as Delaware plus Urban Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 65Β°F | 88Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 25Β°F | 47Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 40" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20" | 15" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Delaware to DC. DC gets 2% more sunshine days than Delaware.
- DC has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Delaware.
- Say goodbye to the possible nor'easters and hurricanes in Delaware, but be on the lookout for potential urban flooding in DC, which is the same as Delaware.
- The average summer high temperature in DC is 3 degrees warmer than in Delaware.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Delaware.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in DC. DC receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to Delaware.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Delaware and DC
Comparison | Delaware | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,174 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.45 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 6.6% | 8.95% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.56% | 0.55% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Agriculture, Chemicals | Government, Education, Health |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 23% more than in Delaware
- The COLI in DC will be 37% higher than what you are used to living in Delaware
- The state income tax in DC is 8.95% compared to 6.6% in DE
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate affluence in Delaware
- The poverty level is moderate in DC compared to low in Delaware
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Delaware and high in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Delaware vs. DC
Comparison | Delaware | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic leaning | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Moderate | Very progressive |
Religion | Christian majority | Diverse, with no single majority |
- Delaware tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- D.C., on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- D.C.'s religious environment can be described as diverse, with no single majority
- Delaware's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian majority
Education Guide When Moving from Delaware to DC
Comparison | Delaware | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Delaware Delaware State University Wilmington University | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | North Star Elementary (Hockessin) Charter School of Wilmington (Wilmington) Odyssey Charter School (Wilmington) | Lafayette Elementary School (Washington) Janney Elementary School (Washington) Mann Elementary School (Washington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Cab Calloway School of the Arts (Wilmington) Conrad Schools of Science (Wilmington) Sussex Academy (Georgetown) | Deal Middle School (Washington) Hardy Middle School (Washington) Jefferson Middle School Academy (Washington) |
Top 3 High Schools | Charter School of Wilmington Cab Calloway School of the Arts Newark High School (Newark) | School Without Walls High School Benjamin Banneker Academic High School McKinley Technology High School (Washington) |
Top 3 private high schools | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) Wilmington Friends School (Wilmington) St. Andrew's School (Middletown) | Georgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda) Sidwell Friends School (Washington) St. Albans School (Washington) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) Wilmington Friends School (Wilmington) St. Anne's Episcopal School (Middletown) | Sidwell Friends School (Washington) Georgetown Day School (Washington) National Cathedral School (Washington) |
Top 3 School Districts | Cape Henlopen School District Appoquinimink School District Brandywine School District | District of Columbia Public Schools |
How Much Do Delaware to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 90 miles from Delaware to DC 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,065 | 300 ft3 | $3.55 |
1 Bedroom | $1,579 | 450 ft3 | $3.51 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,600 | 750 ft3 | $3.47 |
3 Bedrooms | $3,767 | 1100 ft3 | $3.42 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,411 | 1600 ft3 | $3.38 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,010 | 1800 ft3 | $3.34 |
Top Delaware to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Delaware to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.