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Delaware to Pennsylvania Moving Guide

Updated June 19, 2025

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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

ConsDelaware iconDelaware
  • Limited arts scene
  • Flat landscape
  • Fewer professional sports
  • Small city feel
  • Less historical tourism
ProsPennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • Vibrant Philadelphia arts
  • Scenic Appalachian views
  • Major sports teams
  • Big city amenities
  • Rich history landmarks

Pennsylvania iconPennsylvania
  • Sales tax
  • Heavy traffic in cities
  • Harsh winters
  • City noise levels
  • Fewer coastal areas
Delaware iconDelaware
  • 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

ComparisonDelawarePennsylvania
Most iconic local food itemScrapplePhilly Cheesesteak
Most popular meat dishChickenPork
Most popular street food itemItalian IceSoft Pretzel
Most popular vegan foodSeitanMushroom Cheesesteak
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Deer Park Tavern
  • Savannah Inn
  • Charcoal Pit
  • Reading Terminal Market
  • Pat's King of Steaks
  • Zahav
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonDelawarePennsylvania
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchColonial, Victorian
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingOpen floor plans, waterfront propertiesHistoric 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 Delaware’s $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

ComparisonDelawarePennsylvania
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHurricanes, Nor'eastersSnowstorms, Floods
Air QualityGood to ModerateModerate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)86/6685/62
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)44/2840/24
Annual Rainfall (Inches)45.742
Annual Snowfall (Inches)20.238
  • 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

ComparisonDelawarePennsylvania
Avg. Household Income$82,174$71,798
Cost of Living Index102.4599.7
State Income Tax5.55%3.07%
Avg. Property Tax0.57%1.35%
Avg. Sales Tax0%6%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Healthcare, AgricultureManufacturing, Healthcare, Education
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • 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

ComparisonDelawarePennsylvania
Political Make-upLargely DemocraticMix of Democratic and Republican
Local PoliticsMore centralizedDiverse, varies by region
ReligionChristianity predominant, with diverse religious presenceChristianity 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

ComparisonDelawarePennsylvania
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 SchoolsCharter 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 SchoolsNewark 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 SchoolsCharter 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 schoolsTower 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 schoolsTower 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 DistrictsAppoquinimink 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 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 1-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,155300 ft3$3.85
1 Bedroom$1,714450 ft3$3.81
2 Bedrooms$2,824750 ft3$3.77
3 Bedrooms$4,0951100 ft3$3.72
4 Bedrooms$5,8891600 ft3$3.68
5+ Bedrooms$6,5481800 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.

TOP PICK
Pittsburgh Moving featured image

Pittsburgh Moving

Best moving company overall for Delaware to Pennsylvania

9.63/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
EverSafe Moving Co. featured image

EverSafe Moving Co.

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
SSW Moving & Junk Removal featured image

SSW Moving & Junk Removal

9.08/10
ExceptionalView details