Delaware to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 276 mile interstate move from Delaware to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Delaware vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited arts scene vs vibrant philadelphia arts), food & health (like Scrapple vs Philly Cheesesteak), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs colonial, victorian), 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 Philly Cheesesteak & Pork
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in Delaware
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 19.83% more affordable than in Delaware
- Moving from Delaware to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Delaware to Pennsylvania movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Delaware to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Delaware to Pennsylvania
- Limited arts scene
- Flat landscape
- Fewer professional sports
- Small city feel
- Less historical tourism
- Vibrant Philadelphia arts
- Scenic Appalachian views
- Major sports teams
- Big city amenities
- Rich history landmarks
- Sales tax
- Heavy traffic in cities
- Harsh winters
- City noise levels
- Fewer coastal areas
- No state sales tax
- Low traffic congestion
- Milder winters
- Quiet suburban life
- Small beach towns
Pros of moving from Delaware to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to the limited arts scene and hello to the vibrant Philadelphia arts
- Look forward to moving away from the flat landscape and moving to Pennsylvania with scenic Appalachian views
- Swap the fewer professional sports of Delaware for the major sports teams in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for big city amenities in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from Delaware to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the no state sales tax in Delaware to live with the sales tax in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of low traffic congestion and have to settle for the con of heavy traffic in cities
- Time to bid farewell to the milder winters and get used to the harsh winters in Pennsylvania
- Swap the quiet suburban life for the city noise levels
Delaware vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Delaware | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Scrapple | Philly Cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Chicken | Pork |
Most popular street food item | Italian Ice | Soft Pretzel |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan | Mushroom Cheesesteak |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic Scrapple of Delaware for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Delaware rave about their flavorful Chicken and sumptuous Italian Ice, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pork and Soft Pretzel to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Mushroom Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Delaware eateries like Deer Park Tavern, Savannah Inn, and Charcoal Pit. After the boxes are unpacked in Pennsylvania, don't wait too long before making your way to Pennsylvania's acclaimed eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Pat's King of Steaks, and Zahav.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Delaware. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Pennsylvania, compared to what you are used to in Delaware. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Delaware and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Delaware | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
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 | Open floor plans, waterfront properties | Historic details, proximity to parks |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Delaware is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Delaware's real estate listings that commonly reference open floor plans and waterfront properties, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to parks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Pennsylvania is more walkable than Delaware.
- Pennsylvania is similarly bike-friendly to Delaware.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than Delaware.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in Delaware, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Delawareβs $385,745.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 43% compared to a 42% increase in Delaware.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 19.83% more affordable than in Delaware.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Delaware and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Delaware | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
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, Floods |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 86/66 | 85/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 44/28 | 40/24 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45.7 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.2 | 38 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Delaware to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 10% fewer sunshine days than Delaware.
- Pennsylvania has lower 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 floods in Pennsylvania.
- The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is 1 degree colder than in Delaware.
- The average winter lows are 4 degrees colder than they are in Delaware.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 3.7 fewer inches of rain compared to Delaware.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Delaware and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Delaware | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,174 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.45 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 5.55% | 3.07% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.57% | 1.35% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Healthcare, Agriculture | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 13% less than in Delaware
- The COLI in Pennsylvania will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in Delaware
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07% compared to 5.55% in DE
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is moderate compared to moderate in Delaware
- The poverty level is moderate in Pennsylvania compared to low in Delaware
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Delaware and low in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Delaware vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | Delaware | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Largely Democratic | Mix of Democratic and Republican |
Local Politics | More centralized | Diverse, varies by region |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with diverse religious presence | Christianity predominant, with significant Jewish, Muslim, and other communities |
- Delaware tends to lean largely Democratic in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as a mix of Democratic and Republican
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity, with significant Jewish, Muslim, and other communities
- Delaware's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a diverse religious presence
Education Guide When Moving from Delaware to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Delaware | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Delaware Delaware State University Wilmington University | Pennsylvania State University University of Pennsylvania Temple University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Charter School of Wilmington Newark Charter School Odyssey Charter School | Adlai Stevenson Elementary School (Pittsburgh) Masterman Julia R Secondary School (Philadelphia) Infinity Charter School (Harrisburg) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Newark Charter School Sussex Academy Cab Calloway School of the Arts | Masterman Julia R Secondary School (Philadelphia) Haverford Middle School (Havertown) Radnor Middle School (Radnor) |
Top 3 High Schools | Charter School of Wilmington Newark Charter School Sussex Academy | North Allegheny Senior High School (Wexford) Conestoga High School (Berwyn) Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) |
Top 3 private high schools | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) Archmere Academy (Claymont) St. Andrew's School (Middletown) | The Haverford School (Haverford) The Hill School (Pottstown) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) Sanford School (Hockessin) St. Andrew's School (Middletown) | Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) |
Top 3 School Districts | Appoquinimink School District Caesar Rodney School District Cape Henlopen School District | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District |
How Much Do Delaware to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 276 miles from Delaware to Pennsylvania 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: 1-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,155 | 300 ft3 | $3.85 |
1 Bedroom | $1,714 | 450 ft3 | $3.81 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,824 | 750 ft3 | $3.77 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,095 | 1100 ft3 | $3.72 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,889 | 1600 ft3 | $3.68 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,548 | 1800 ft3 | $3.64 |
Top Delaware to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Delaware to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Delaware to Pennsylvania