Delaware to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 386 mile interstate move from Delaware to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Delaware vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited public transit vs robust transportation system), food & health (like Scrapple vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Scrapple and Broasted Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Boston Baked Beans
- Massachusetts housing costs are 59% more expensive than they are in Delaware
- Rent in Massachusetts is 37.17% more expensive than in Delaware
- Moving from Delaware to Massachusetts will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,500
- Our top recommended Delaware to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Delaware to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Delaware to Massachusetts
- Limited public transit
- Few cultural events
- Flat landscape
- Limited career options
- Small-town feel
- Robust transportation system
- Diverse cultural scene
- Scenic landscapes
- Thriving job market
- Urban lifestyle opportunities
- Higher cost of living
- Busy city life
- Less personal interaction
- Harsh winters
- Longer drive to coast
- Lower cost of living
- Quiet, cozy towns
- Close-knit communities
- Mild winters
- Proximity to beaches
Pros of moving from Delaware to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to limited public transit and hello to a robust transportation system
- Look forward to moving away from few cultural events and moving to Massachusetts with a diverse cultural scene
- Swap the flat landscape of Delaware for scenic landscapes in Massachusetts
- Get ready for a thriving job market in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from Delaware to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Delaware to live with a higher cost of living in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of quiet, cozy towns and have to settle with the con of busy city life
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to less personal interaction in Massachusetts
- Swap mild winters for harsh winters
Delaware vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Delaware | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Scrapple | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Broasted Chicken | Boston Baked Beans |
Most popular street food item | Italian Ice | Lobster Roll |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Mushroom Cheesesteak | Tofu Scramble |
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 Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Scrapple of Delaware for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Delaware rave about their flavorful Broasted Chicken and sumptuous Italian Ice, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Boston Baked Beans and Lobster Roll to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Mushroom Cheesesteak they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tofu Scramble of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Delaware eateries like Deerhead Hot Dogs, Harryβs Seafood Grill, and The House of William and Merry. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Union Oyster House, Neptune Oyster, and Al's Cafe.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Delaware. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Massachusetts compared to what you are used to in Delaware. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Delaware and Massachusetts
Comparison | Delaware | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, proximity to beaches | Access to public transportation, historical features |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Delaware is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to Delaware's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to beaches, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like access to public transportation and historical attributes.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Massachusetts is more walkable than Delaware.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than Delaware.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Delaware.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 59% more expensive than they are in Delaware, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Delawareβs $385,745.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 46% compared to a 42% increase in Delaware.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 37.17% more expensive than in Delaware.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Delaware and Massachusetts
Comparison | Delaware | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Nor'easters | Snowstorms, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 86/66 | 82/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45/28 | 37/22 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 47" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20" | 51" |
- Massachusetts gets an equal number of sunshine days as Delaware.
- Massachusetts has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Delaware.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and nor'easters in Massachusetts.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 4 degrees colder than in Delaware.
- The average winter lows in Massachusetts are 6 degrees colder than they are in Delaware.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Delaware.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Delaware and Massachusetts
Comparison | Delaware | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,174 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.45 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 6.6% | 5.0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.56% | 1.23% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Agriculture, Tourism | Technology, Biotechnology, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Low |
Homelessness | Minimal | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 15% more than in Delaware
- The Cost of Living Index in Massachusetts will be 19% higher than what you are used to living in Delaware
- The state income tax in MA is 5.0% compared to 6.6% in DE
- The affluence in Massachusetts is high compared to moderate in Delaware
- The poverty level is low in Massachusetts compared to low in Delaware
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Delaware and noticeable in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in Delaware vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | Delaware | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Moderate focus on business and trade | High focus on education and health care |
Religion | Mixed, with a Christian majority | Mixed, with a Christian majority but more secular overall |
- Delaware tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as mixed, with a Christian majority but more secular overall
- Delaware's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with a Christian majority
Education Guide When Moving from Delaware to Massachusetts
Comparison | Delaware | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Delaware Wilmington University Delaware State University | Harvard University MIT Tufts University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Odyssey Charter School (Wilmington) Newark Charter School (Newark) Charter School of Wilmington (Wilmington) | John D. Hardy Elementary (Wellesley) Vinson-Owen Elementary (Winchester) Joseph Estabrook Elementary (Lexington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Charter School of Wilmington Newark Charter Jr./Sr. High School (Newark) Sussex Academy (Georgetown) | William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) Raymond J. Grey Junior High (Acton) Jonas Clarke Middle School (Lexington) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Charter School of Wilmington Newark Charter Jr./Sr. High School Sussex Academy | Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High School (Lexington) Brookline High School (Brookline) |
Top 3 private high schools | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) St. Andrew's School (Middletown) Wilmington Friends School (Wilmington) | Phillips Academy (Andover) Milton Academy (Milton) Groton School (Groton) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Tower Hill School St. Andrew's School Wilmington Friends School | Phillips Academy Milton Academy Groton School |
Top 3 School Districts | Appoquinimink School District Brandywine School District Red Clay Consolidated School District | Weston School District Lexington School District Wellesley School District |
How Much Do Delaware to Massachusetts Movers Cost?
Moving 386 miles from Delaware to Massachusetts will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,208 | 300 ft3 | $4.03 |
1 Bedroom | $1,793 | 450 ft3 | $3.98 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,957 | 750 ft3 | $3.94 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,290 | 1100 ft3 | $3.90 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,171 | 1600 ft3 | $3.86 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,866 | 1800 ft3 | $3.81 |
Top Delaware to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Delaware to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Delaware to Massachusetts