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Illinois to Delaware Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

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Planning a 852 mile interstate move from Illinois to Delaware? This moving guide will help you compare living in Illinois vs Delaware across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high property taxes vs lower property taxes), food & health (like Deep-dish pizza vs Scrapple), real estate & housing (chicago school, prairie style vs colonial, coastal), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Delaware), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Deep-dish pizza and Italian Beef, but get your taste buds ready for Scrapple & Fried Chicken
  • Delaware housing costs are 50% more expensive than they are in Illinois
  • Rent in Delaware is 5.72% more expensive than in Illinois
  • Moving from Illinois to Delaware will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Illinois to Delaware movers is 606 Movers, Inc.

Illinois to Delaware Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Delaware

ConsIllinois iconIllinois
  • High property taxes
  • Harsh winters
  • Heavy traffic
  • Dense urban centers
  • Higher cost of living
ProsDelaware iconDelaware
  • Lower property taxes
  • Milder climate
  • Smoother commutes
  • Quieter neighborhoods
  • More affordable living

Delaware iconDelaware
  • Limited cultural venues
  • Smaller job market
  • Fewer restaurant choices
  • Lack of major museums
  • Limited transit options
Illinois iconIllinois
  • Vibrant cultural scene
  • Diverse job market
  • Ample dining options
  • World-class museums
  • Extensive public transit

Pros of moving from Illinois to Delaware

  • Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
  • Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Delaware with a milder climate
  • Swap the heavy traffic of Illinois for smoother commutes in Delaware
  • Get ready for quieter neighborhoods in Delaware

Cons of moving from Illinois to Delaware

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a vibrant cultural scene in Illinois to live with limited cultural venues in Delaware
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse job market and have to settle for the con of a smaller job market
  • Time to bid farewell to ample dining options and get used to fewer restaurant choices in Delaware
  • Swap world-class museums for a lack of major museums

Illinois vs. Delaware: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIllinoisDelaware
Most iconic local food itemDeep-dish pizzaScrapple
Most popular meat dishItalian BeefFried Chicken
Most popular street food itemHot DogBoardwalk Fries
Most popular vegan foodVegan Deep-dish pizzaVegan Crab Cakes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
  • Portillo's
  • Alinea
  • Harry's Savoy Grill
  • Helen's Sausage House
  • Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Illinois to Delaware, you will be trading the iconic deep-dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious scrapple of Delaware. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian beef and sumptuous hot dog, Delaware residents know they have tasty fried chicken and boardwalk fries to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the vegan deep-dish pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the vegan crab cakes of Delaware. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Illinois eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Portillo's, and Alinea. After the boxes are unpacked in Delaware, don't wait too long before making your way to Delaware's acclaimed eateries like Harry's Savoy Grill, Helen's Sausage House, and Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront.

When comparing lifestyles, Delaware shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Illinois. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Delaware, compared to what you are used to in Illinois. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Delaware.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Delaware

ComparisonIllinoisDelaware
Typical Architecture StyleChicago School, Prairie StyleColonial, Coastal
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 listingHardwood floors, Stainless steel appliancesHardwood floors, Waterfront views
  • The Chicago School and Prairie Style architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Coastal architecture typical of Delaware.
  • Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances, Delaware real estate listings often highlight features like hardwood floors and waterfront views.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Delaware is less walkable than Illinois.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Delaware is less bike-friendly than Illinois.
  • Delaware has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
  • Delaware housing costs are 50% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $385,745 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Delaware have increased by 42% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
  • Rent in Delaware is 5.72% more expensive than in Illinois.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Illinois and Delaware

ComparisonIllinoisDelaware
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 DisastersTornadoes, FloodsHurricanes, Nor'easters
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6587/66
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35/2244/28
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3945
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2220
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to Delaware. Delaware gets 7% more sunshine days than Illinois.
  • Delaware has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Illinois.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Illinois, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware.
  • The average summer high temperature in Delaware is 2 degrees warmer than in Illinois.
  • The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Illinois.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Delaware. Delaware receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Delaware

ComparisonIllinoisDelaware
Avg. Household Income$76,708$82,174
Cost of Living Index94.25102.45
State Income Tax4.95%0%
Avg. Property Tax2.05%0.59%
Avg. Sales Tax8.83%0%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Finance, AgricultureFinance, Real Estate, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyNotableLow
HomelessnessSignificantMinimal
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Delaware tend to earn about 7% more than in Illinois
  • The COLI in Delaware will be 9% higher than what you are used to living in Illinois
  • Hooray, moving to DE means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Delaware is high compared to moderate affluence in Illinois
  • The poverty level is low in Delaware compared to notable poverty in Illinois
  • In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Illinois and minimal in Delaware

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Delaware

ComparisonIllinoisDelaware
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Democratic
Local PoliticsChicago's influence majorModerate, with Democratic lean
ReligionChristian, non-religious significant portionChristian, unaffiliated growing
  • Illinois tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Delaware, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
  • Delaware's religious environment can be described as Christian, with a growing unaffiliated segment
  • Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian, with a significant portion being non-religious

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Delaware

ComparisonIllinoisDelaware
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Illinois
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
University of Delaware
Delaware State University
Wilmington University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLincoln Elementary
Naperville; South Loop Elementary
Chicago; Willowbrook Elementary
Glenview
Charter School of Wilmington; Newark Charter School
Newark; Sussex Academy
Georgetown
Top 3 Middle SchoolsKennedy Junior High
Lisle; Maple School
Northbrook; Daniel Wright Junior High
Lincolnshire
H.B. DuPont Middle School
Hockessin; Alfred G. Waters Middle School
Middletown; Conrad Schools of Science
Wilmington
Top 3 High SchoolsAdlai E. Stevenson High
Lincolnshire; New Trier High
Winnetka; Northside College Prep
Chicago
Charter School of Wilmington
Wilmington; Newark Charter School
Newark; Sussex Academy
Georgetown
Top 3 private high schoolsIllinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Aurora; Latin School of Chicago
Chicago; University of Chicago Lab School
Chicago
Tower Hill School
Wilmington; St. Andrew's School
Middletown; Sanford School
Hockessin
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsUniversity of Chicago Lab School
Chicago; Francis W. Parker School
Chicago; Latin School of Chicago
Chicago
Sanford School
Hockessin; Tower Hill School
Wilmington; St. Andrew's School
Middletown
Top 3 School DistrictsNew Trier Township High School District 203
Northfield; Highland Park Township
Highland Park; Naperville Community Unit School District 203
Naperville
Appoquinimink School District
Odessa; Caesar Rodney School District
Wyoming; Brandywine School District
Wilmington

How Much Do Illinois to Delaware Movers Cost?

Moving 852 miles from Illinois to Delaware 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: A1 Movers, Inc
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,686300 ft3$5.62
1 Bedroom$2,506450 ft3$5.57
2 Bedrooms$4,139750 ft3$5.52
3 Bedrooms$6,0151100 ft3$5.47
4 Bedrooms$8,6691600 ft3$5.42
5+ Bedrooms$9,6631800 ft3$5.37

Top Illinois to Delaware Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Illinois to Delaware movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
606 Movers, Inc. featured image

606 Movers, Inc.

Best moving company overall for Illinois to Delaware

9.37/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Move-tastic! featured image

Move-tastic!

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
A1 Movers, Inc featured image

A1 Movers, Inc

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Illinois to Delaware Routes

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