Delaware to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

Planning a 377 mile interstate move from Delaware to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Delaware vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high taxes vs lower taxes), food & health (like Scrapple vs Pulled Pork BBQ), real estate & housing (colonial vs craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Delaware), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Scrapple and Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Pulled Pork BBQ & Pulled Pork
- North Carolina housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in Delaware
- Rent in North Carolina is 6.42% more affordable than in Delaware
- Moving from Delaware to North Carolina will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,500
- Our top recommended Delaware to North Carolina movers is Just Move It, LLC
Delaware to North Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Delaware to North Carolina
- High taxes
- Limited job market
- Flat terrain
- Harsh winters
- Lower taxes
- Diverse job opportunities
- Varied landscapes
- Milder climate
- Far from big cities
- Fewer beach options
- Requires adjustment
- Fewer historical sites
- Proximity to NYC
- Coastal beaches
- Familiar communities
- Rich colonial history
Pros of moving from Delaware to North Carolina
- Say goodbye to high taxes and hello to lower taxes
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to North Carolina with diverse job opportunities
- Swap the flat terrain of Delaware for varied landscapes in North Carolina
- Get ready for a milder climate in North Carolina
Cons of moving from Delaware to North Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from proximity to NYC in Delaware to live far from big cities in North Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of coastal beaches and have to settle for the con of fewer beach options
- Time to bid farewell to familiar communities and get used to the required adjustment in North Carolina
- Swap rich colonial history for fewer historical sites
Delaware vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Delaware | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Scrapple | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Chicken | Pulled Pork |
Most popular street food item | Italian Subs | Barbecue Sandwiches |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Sandwich | BBQ Tofu |
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 North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Scrapple of Delaware for the equally delicious Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in Delaware rave about their flavorful Chicken and sumptuous Italian Subs, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and Barbecue Sandwiches 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 BBQ Tofu of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Delaware eateries like Charcoal Pit, Grotto Pizza, and Blue Coast Seafood Grill. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Lexington Barbecue, The Pit, and Bida Manda.
When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Delaware. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in North Carolina, compared to what you are used to in Delaware. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in North Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Delaware and North Carolina
Comparison | Delaware | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Coastal proximity, Historic landmarks | Proximity to nature, Quiet neighborhoods |
- The Colonial architecture that Delaware is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman architecture typical of North Carolina.
- Compared to Delaware's real estate listings that commonly reference coastal proximity and historic landmarks, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to nature and quiet neighborhoods.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Carolina is less walkable than Delaware.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; North Carolina is less bike-friendly than Delaware.
- North Carolina has less of an urban feel than Delaware.
- North Carolina housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in Delaware, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Delawareβs $385,745.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 63% compared to a 42% increase in Delaware.
- Rent in North Carolina is 6.42% more affordable than in Delaware.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Delaware and North Carolina
Comparison | Delaware | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 86/66 | 88/68 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45/28 | 50/30 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.2" | 5" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Delaware to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 8% more sunshine days than Delaware.
- North Carolina 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 hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina.
- The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 2 degrees warmer than in Delaware.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Delaware.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 5 more inches of rain compared to Delaware.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Delaware and North Carolina
Comparison | Delaware | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,174 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.45 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 2.2% - 6.6% | 5.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.58% | 0.78% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 6.98% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Healthcare, Education | Technology, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Minimal | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 18% less than in Delaware
- The COLI in North Carolina will be 6% lower than what you are used to living in Delaware
- The state income tax in NC is 5.25% compared to 2.2% - 6.6% in DE
- The affluence in North Carolina is moderate compared to moderate in Delaware
- The poverty level is moderate in North Carolina compared to low in Delaware
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Delaware and moderate in North Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Delaware vs. North Carolina
Comparison | Delaware | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Moderately Divided |
Local Politics | Liberal in urban areas | Conservative in rural, liberal in urban |
Religion | Christian Majority | Christian Majority |
- Delaware tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as moderately divided
- North Carolina's religious environment can be described as Christian majority
- Delaware's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian majority
Education Guide When Moving from Delaware to North Carolina
Comparison | Delaware | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Delaware Delaware State University Wilmington University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Linden Hill Elementary School Wilmington North Star Elementary School Hockessin Odyssey Charter School Wilmington | Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy Charlotte Quest Academy Raleigh Sterling Montessori Academy Morrisville |
Top 3 Middle Schools | H.B. DuPont Middle School Hockessin Alfred G. Waters Middle School Middletown Beacon Middle School Lewes | Phillips Middle School Chapel Hill Jay M. Robinson Middle School Charlotte Ligon Middle School Raleigh |
Top 3 High Schools | Charter School of Wilmington Wilmington Cab Calloway School of the Arts Wilmington Newark Charter High School Newark | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Durham Raleigh Charter High School Raleigh Early College at Guilford Greensboro |
Top 3 Private High Schools | Tower Hill School Wilmington St. Andrew's School Middletown Sanford School Hockessin | Charlotte Latin School Charlotte Durham Academy Durham Cary Academy Cary |
Top 3 Private K-12 Schools | Tower Hill School Wilmington Sanford School Hockessin St. Andrew's School Middletown | Charlotte Country Day School Charlotte Durham Academy Durham Cary Academy Cary |
Top 3 School Districts | Appoquinimink School District Caesar Rodney School District Brandywine School District | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Wake County Public School System Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools |
How Much Do Delaware to North Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 377 miles from Delaware to North Carolina 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: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,204 | 300 ft3 | $4.01 |
1 Bedroom | $1,787 | 450 ft3 | $3.97 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,946 | 750 ft3 | $3.93 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,274 | 1100 ft3 | $3.89 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,148 | 1600 ft3 | $3.84 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,840 | 1800 ft3 | $3.80 |
Top Delaware to North Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Delaware to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for Delaware to North Carolina