Delaware to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 804 mile interstate move from Delaware to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Delaware vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high property taxes vs lower living costs), food & health (like Scrapple vs Coney Dog), real estate & housing (colonial vs mid-century modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Delaware), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Scrapple and Chicken Bog, but get your taste buds ready for Coney Dog & Pasties
- Michigan housing costs are 38% less expensive than they are in Delaware
- Rent in Michigan is 21.63% more affordable than in Delaware
- Moving from Delaware to Michigan will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Delaware to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving
Delaware to Michigan Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Delaware to Michigan
- High property taxes
- Higher traffic congestion
- Limited natural attractions
- Few large cities
- Lower living costs
- More spacious living
- Proximity to Great Lakes
- Vibrant Detroit scene
- Harsh winters
- Sales tax applied
- Less community feel
- Far from the ocean
- Mild climate
- No sales tax
- Close-knit communities
- Beach access
Pros of moving from Delaware to Michigan
- Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower living costs
- Look forward to moving away from higher traffic congestion and moving to Michigan with more spacious living
- Swap the limited natural attractions of Delaware for proximity to the Great Lakes in Michigan
- Get ready for a vibrant Detroit scene in Michigan
Cons of moving from Delaware to Michigan
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a mild climate in Delaware to live with harsh winters in Michigan
- You'll lose out on the pro of no sales tax and have to settle for the con of sales tax applied
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to a less community feel in Michigan
- Swap beach access for being far from the ocean
Delaware vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Delaware | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Scrapple | Coney Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Chicken Bog | Pasties |
Most popular street food item | Italian Water Ice | Coney Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Sandwich | Veggie Pasties |
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 Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Scrapple of Delaware for the equally delicious Coney Dog of Michigan. And while the locals in Delaware rave about their flavorful Chicken Bog and sumptuous Italian Water Ice, Michigan residents know they have tasty Pasties and Coney Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Veggie Pasties of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Delaware eateries like Off the Hook, Deer Park Tavern, and Nage Bistro. After the boxes are unpacked in Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like American Coney Island, Zingerman's Delicatessen, and Slows Bar BQ.
When comparing lifestyles, Michigan shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Delaware. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Michigan compared to what you are used to in Delaware. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Michigan.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Delaware and Michigan
Comparison | Delaware | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Mid-Century Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to beaches | Lakeside access |
- The Colonial architecture that Delaware is known for will be replaced with the Mid-Century Modern architecture typical of Michigan.
- Compared to Delaware's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to beaches, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside access.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Michigan is more walkable than Delaware.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Michigan is more bike-friendly than Delaware.
- Michigan has more of an urban feel than Delaware.
- Michigan housing costs are 38% less expensive than they are in Delaware with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Delawareβs $385,745.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in Michigan have increased 45% compared to a 42% increase in Delaware.
- Rent in Michigan is 21.63% more affordable than in Delaware.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Delaware and Michigan
Comparison | Delaware | Michigan |
---|---|---|
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, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 86/66 | 81/61 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 44/28 | 32/18 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45 | 32 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20 | 60 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Delaware to Michigan. Michigan gets 14% fewer sunshine days than Delaware.
- Michigan 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 tornadoes in Michigan.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 5 degrees colder than in Delaware.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees colder than they are in Delaware.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Michigan. Michigan receives 13 fewer inches of rain compared to Delaware.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Delaware and Michigan
Comparison | Delaware | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,174 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.45 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 2.2% to 6.6% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.55% | 1.54% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Healthcare, Education | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Information Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | Variable |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Manageable | Concerning |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 18% less than in Delaware
- The COLI in Michigan is 11% lower than what you are used to living in Delaware
- The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 2.2% to 6.6% in DE
- The affluence in Michigan is variable compared to moderate in Delaware
- The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to low in Delaware
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Delaware and concerning in Michigan
Political and Religious Climate in Delaware vs. Michigan
Comparison | Delaware | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Swing State, with recent leanings towards Democratic |
Local Politics | Moderate Democratic influence in urban and suburban areas | Liberal in urban areas like Detroit, conservative in rural areas |
Religion | Christian (Catholic/Protestant), Non-religious | Christian (Catholic/Protestant), Non-religious, growing Muslim community |
- Delaware tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with recent leanings towards Democratic
- Michigan's religious environment can be described as Christian (Catholic/Protestant), Non-religious, and a growing Muslim community
- Delaware's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (Catholic/Protestant) and Non-religious
Education Guide When Moving from Delaware to Michigan
Comparison | Delaware | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Delaware Delaware State University Wilmington University | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Charter School of Wilmington Newark Charter School Odyssey Charter School | International Academy Okemos Public Schools Novi Community School District |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Cab Calloway School of the Arts Conrad Schools of Science Newark Charter School | East Middle School Boulan Park Middle School Hillside Middle School |
Top 3 High School Schools | Charter School of Wilmington Newark Charter School Cab Calloway School of the Arts | International Academy Troy High School Northville High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Tower Hill School The Tatnall School Saint Mark's High School | Detroit Country Day School Cranbrook Schools Greenhills School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Tower Hill School The Tatnall School Sanford School | Detroit Country Day School Cranbrook Schools Roeper School |
Top 3 School Districts | Newark Charter School District Appoquinimink School District Caesar Rodney School District | Novi Community School District Okemos Public Schools Bloomfield Hills Schools |
How Much Do Delaware to Michigan Movers Cost?
Moving 804 miles from Delaware to Michigan will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 6.5-15.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,658 | 300 ft3 | $5.53 |
1 Bedroom | $2,465 | 450 ft3 | $5.48 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,071 | 750 ft3 | $5.43 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,915 | 1100 ft3 | $5.38 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,524 | 1600 ft3 | $5.33 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,500 | 1800 ft3 | $5.28 |
Top Delaware to Michigan Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Delaware to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.