Massachusetts to Delaware Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 389 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to Delaware? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs Delaware across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower housing costs), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Scrapple), real estate & housing (colonial vs colonial and ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Clam Chowder and Baked Beans and Boston Butt, but get your taste buds ready for Scrapple & Fried Chicken
- Delaware housing costs are 37% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
- Rent in Delaware is 27.10% more affordable than in Massachusetts
- Moving from Massachusetts to Delaware will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,500
- Our top recommended Massachusetts to Delaware movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Massachusetts to Delaware Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to Delaware
- High cost of living
- Harsh winters
- Dense traffic
- Lower housing costs
- Milder climate
- Less congestion
- Fewer historic sites
- Limited cultural offerings
- Less specialized education
- Rich history
- Cultural diversity
- Strong public schools
Pros of moving from Massachusetts to Delaware
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower housing costs
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Delaware with a milder climate
- Swap the dense traffic of Massachusetts for less congestion in Delaware
- Get ready for a vibrant community in Delaware
Cons of moving from Massachusetts to Delaware
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Massachusetts to live with fewer historic sites in Delaware
- You'll lose out on the pro of cultural diversity and have to settle for the con of limited cultural offerings
- Time to bid farewell to strong public schools and get used to less specialized education in Delaware
- Swap the beautiful landscapes for urban sprawl in Delaware
Massachusetts vs. Delaware: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Massachusetts | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Chowder | Scrapple |
Most popular meat dish | Baked Beans and Boston Butt | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Lobster Roll | Italian Sub |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | Seitan Wings |
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 Massachusetts to Delaware, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Scrapple of Delaware. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Baked Beans, Boston Butt, and sumptuous Lobster Roll, Delaware residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Italian Sub to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Wings of Delaware. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Massachusetts eateries like Legal Sea Foods, Neptune Oyster, and Union Oyster House. 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, Matt's Fish Camp, and Big Fish Grill.
When comparing lifestyles, Delaware shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Delaware compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Delaware.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and Delaware
Comparison | Massachusetts | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Colonial and Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to education and healthcare | Quiet neighborhoods, proximity to beaches |
- The Colonial architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Delaware.
- Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to education and healthcare, Delaware real estate listings often highlight features like quiet neighborhoods and proximity to beaches.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Delaware is less walkable than Massachusetts.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Delaware is less bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
- Delaware has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
- Delaware housing costs are 37% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $385,745 compared to Massachusettsβs $612,509.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Delaware have increased by 42% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
- Rent in Delaware is 27.10% more affordable than in Massachusetts.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and Delaware
Comparison | Massachusetts | Delaware |
---|---|---|
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, Blizzards | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 60Β°F | 85Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 22Β°F | 45Β°F / 28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 51 | 20 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Massachusetts to Delaware. Delaware gets 3% more sunshine days than Massachusetts.
- Delaware has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Massachusetts.
- Say goodbye to the possible nor'easters and blizzards in Massachusetts, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Delaware is 5 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Massachusetts.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Delaware. Delaware receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and Delaware
Comparison | Massachusetts | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,488 | $82,174 |
Cost of Living Index | 121.55 | 102.45 |
State Income Tax | 5.00% | 0.00% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.23% | 0.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.25% | 0.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Education, Healthcare, Finance | Chemicals, Finance, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Delaware tend to earn about 13% less than in Massachusetts
- The COLI in Delaware will be 16% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
- Hooray, moving to DE means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Delaware is moderate compared to high in Massachusetts
- The poverty level is moderate in Delaware compared to low in Massachusetts
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Massachusetts and low in Delaware
Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. Delaware
Comparison | Massachusetts | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Moderately Liberal/Democratic |
Local Politics | Strong Democratic cities | Mixed political views with Democratic lean |
Religion | Catholic/None | Protestant/Catholic |
- Massachusetts tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Delaware, on the other hand, is often described as moderately Liberal/Democratic
- Delaware's religious environment can be described as Protestant/Catholic
- Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholic/None
Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to Delaware
Comparison | Massachusetts | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Boston University | University of Delaware Delaware State University Wilmington University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | John D. Hardy Elementary School Wellesley; Chickering School Dover; Vinson-Owen Elementary School Winchester | Charter School of Wilmington Newark; Newark Charter School Newark; Sussex Academy Georgetown |
Top 3 Middle Schools | William Diamond Middle School Lexington; Wayland Middle School Wayland; Thomas Prince School Princeton | Conrad Schools of Science Wilmington; Cab Calloway School of the Arts Wilmington; Sussex Academy Georgetown |
Top 3 High Schools | Lexington High School Lexington; Boston Latin School Boston; Brookline High School Brookline | The Charter School of Wilmington Wilmington; Newark Charter Junior/Senior High School Newark; Cab Calloway School of the Arts Wilmington |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Academy Andover; Groton School Groton; Milton Academy Milton | Tower Hill School Wilmington; Saint Mark's High School Wilmington; The Tatnall School Wilmington |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Phillips Academy Andover; Milton Academy Milton; Berkshire School Sheffield | Tower Hill School Wilmington; The Tatnall School Wilmington; Sanford School Hockessin |
Top 3 School Districts | Weston Public Schools Weston; Lexington Public Schools Lexington; Wayland Public Schools Wayland | Appoquinimink School District Odessa; Brandywine School District Wilmington; Cape Henlopen School District Lewes |
How Much Do Massachusetts to Delaware Movers Cost?
Moving 389 miles from Massachusetts to Delaware 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: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,210 | 300 ft3 | $4.03 |
1 Bedroom | $1,795 | 450 ft3 | $3.99 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,960 | 750 ft3 | $3.95 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,295 | 1100 ft3 | $3.90 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,179 | 1600 ft3 | $3.86 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,875 | 1800 ft3 | $3.82 |
Top Massachusetts to Delaware Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to Delaware movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to Delaware