Delaware to Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 274 mile interstate move from Delaware to Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Delaware vs Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild climate), food & health (like Scrapple vs Ham), real estate & housing (colonial vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Scrapple and Fried Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Ham & BBQ Pork
- Virginia housing costs are 0% more expensive than they are in Delaware
- Rent in Virginia is 1.11% more affordable than in Delaware
- Moving from Delaware to Virginia will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Delaware to Virginia movers is ARS Movers
Delaware to Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Delaware to Virginia
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Less cultural diversity
- Fewer entertainment options
- Higher taxes
- Mild climate
- Diverse job opportunities
- Rich in history and culture
- Thriving arts scene
- Favorable cost of living
- More spread out areas
- Traffic congestion
- Farther from coast beaches
- Higher urban crime
- Busier lifestyle
- Close-knit communities
- Easy commutes
- Coastal proximity
- Lower crime rates
- Quiet rural life
Pros of moving from Delaware to Virginia
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a mild climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Virginia with diverse job opportunities
- Swap the less cultural diversity of Delaware for the rich history and culture in Virginia
- Get ready for a thriving arts scene in Virginia
Cons of moving from Delaware to Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from close-knit communities in Delaware to live in more spread-out areas in Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of easy commutes and have to settle for the con of traffic congestion
- Time to bid farewell to coastal proximity and get used to being farther from the coast in Virginia
- Swap lower crime rates for higher urban crime
Delaware vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Delaware | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Scrapple | Ham |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | BBQ Pork |
Most popular street food item | Italian Ice | Peanuts |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Crab Cakes | Vegan Soul Food |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Scrapple of Delaware for the equally delicious Ham of Virginia. And while the locals in Delaware rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Italian Ice, Virginia residents know they have tasty BBQ Pork and Peanuts to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Crab Cakes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Soul Food of Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Delaware eateries like Harvest Tide Steakhouse, Le Cavalier, and Savannahβs. After the boxes are unpacked in Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to Virginia's acclaimed eateries like Sally Bell's Kitchen, Lemaire, and Mama Jβs.
When comparing lifestyles, Virginia shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Delaware. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Virginia, compared to what you are used to in Delaware. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Delaware and Virginia
Comparison | Delaware | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Coastal scenery, Historic landmarks | Mountain views, Proximity to Washington D.C. |
- The Colonial architecture that Delaware is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Virginia.
- Compared to Delaware's real estate listings that commonly reference coastal scenery and historic landmarks, Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and proximity to Washington, D.C.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Virginia is more walkable than Delaware.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Virginia is more bike-friendly than Delaware.
- Virginia has more of an urban feel than Delaware.
- Virginia housing costs are 0% more expensive than they are in Delaware, with a median home price of $385,780 compared to Delawareβs $385,745.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased by 42% compared to a 42% increase in Delaware.
- Rent in Virginia is 1.11% more affordable than in Delaware.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Delaware and Virginia
Comparison | Delaware | Virginia |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 86/66 | 87/67 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 44/28 | 48/29 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45 | 44 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.2 | 22.4 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Delaware to Virginia. Virginia gets 4% more sunshine days than Delaware.
- Virginia has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Delaware.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes, earthquakes, and nor'easters in Virginia.
- The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 1 degree warmer than in Delaware.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Delaware.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Virginia. Virginia receives 1 fewer inch of rain compared to Delaware.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Delaware and Virginia
Comparison | Delaware | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,174 | $85,873 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.45 | 96.6 |
State Income Tax | 2.2% - 6.6% | 2% - 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.56% | 0.80% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 5.3% - 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Healthcare, Education | Technology, Government, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 5% more than in Delaware
- The COLI in Virginia is 6% lower than what you are used to living in Delaware
- The state income tax in VA is 2% to 5.75% compared to 2.2% to 6.6% in DE
- The affluence in Virginia is high compared to moderate affluence in Delaware
- The poverty level is moderate in Virginia compared to low in Delaware
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Delaware and moderate in Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Delaware vs. Virginia
Comparison | Delaware | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Swing State |
Local Politics | Liberal-majority state assembly | Mixed, varies by region |
Religion | Christian (Protestant & Catholic majority) | Christian (Protestant majority, with a notable Catholic community) |
- Delaware tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Virginia's religious environment can be described as Christian with a Protestant majority and a notable Catholic community
- Delaware's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian with a Protestant and Catholic majority
Education Guide When Moving from Delaware to Virginia
Comparison | Delaware | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Delaware Wilmington University Delaware State University | University of Virginia Virginia Tech George Mason University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | North Star Elementary (Hockessin) Charter School of Wilmington Newark Charter School (Newark) | Westbriar Elementary (Vienna) Arlington Science Focus School (Arlington) Stenwood Elementary (Vienna) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Cab Calloway School of the Arts (Wilmington) Newark Charter School (Newark) Sussex Academy (Georgetown) | Longfellow Middle School (Falls Church) Rocky Run Middle School (Chantilly) Frost Middle School (Fairfax) |
Top 3 High Schools | Charter School of Wilmington Newark Charter School Cab Calloway School of the Arts | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria) McLean High School Langley High School (McLean) |
Top 3 private high schools | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) St. Andrew's School (Middletown) Salesianum School (Wilmington) | The Madeira School (McLean) Episcopal High School (Alexandria) St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School (Alexandria) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) St. Andrew's School (Middletown) Sanford School (Hockessin) | Flint Hill School (Oakton) Potomac School (McLean) Norfolk Academy (Norfolk) |
Top 3 School Districts | Appoquinimink School District Caesar Rodney School District Cape Henlopen School District | Fairfax County Public Schools Loudoun County Public Schools Arlington Public Schools |
How Much Do Delaware to Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 274 miles from Delaware to Virginia 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: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,154 | 300 ft3 | $3.85 |
1 Bedroom | $1,712 | 450 ft3 | $3.80 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,822 | 750 ft3 | $3.76 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,092 | 1100 ft3 | $3.72 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,883 | 1600 ft3 | $3.68 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,542 | 1800 ft3 | $3.63 |
Top Delaware to Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Delaware to Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.