North Carolina to Delaware Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 378 mile interstate move from North Carolina to Delaware? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Carolina vs Delaware across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs cooler summer temperatures), food & health (like Pulled Pork BBQ vs Scrapple), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Delaware), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pulled Pork BBQ and Eastern NC Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Scrapple & Broiled Chicken
- Delaware housing costs are 17% more expensive than they are in North Carolina
- Rent in Delaware is 6.86% more expensive than in North Carolina
- Moving from North Carolina to Delaware will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,500
- Our top recommended North Carolina to Delaware movers is Just Move It, LLC
North Carolina to Delaware Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Carolina to Delaware
- High humidity
- Heavier traffic
- Hurricane risk
- Limited job market
- Higher tax rates
- Cooler summer temperatures
- Less crowded roads
- Lower storm risk
- Diverse employment opportunities
- No sales tax
- Colder winters
- Fewer cultural events
- Fewer neighborhood options
- Fewer top colleges
- Limited mountain access
- Mild winters
- Rich cultural heritage
- Established communities
- Renowned universities
- Proximity to mountains
Pros of moving from North Carolina to Delaware
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to cooler summer temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from heavier traffic and moving to Delaware with less crowded roads
- Swap the hurricane risk of North Carolina for a lower storm risk in Delaware
- Get ready for diverse employment opportunities in Delaware
Cons of moving from North Carolina to Delaware
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in North Carolina to live with colder winters in Delaware
- You'll lose out on the pro of a rich cultural heritage and have to settle with the con of fewer cultural events
- Time to bid farewell to established communities and get used to fewer neighborhood options in Delaware
- Swap renowned universities for fewer top colleges
North Carolina vs. Delaware: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Carolina | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pulled Pork BBQ | Scrapple |
Most popular meat dish | Eastern NC Barbecue | Broiled Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs | Boardwalk Fries |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Mushroom Tacos |
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 North Carolina to Delaware, you will be trading the iconic Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina for the equally delicious Scrapple of Delaware. And while the locals in North Carolina rave about their flavorful Eastern NC Barbecue and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Delaware residents know they have tasty Broiled Chicken and Boardwalk Fries to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Mushroom Tacos of Delaware. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Carolina eateries like Lexington Barbecue, Skylight Inn, and Stamey's Barbecue. 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, Michele's, and Matt's Fish Camp.
When comparing lifestyles, Delaware shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Delaware, compared to what you are used to in North Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Delaware.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Carolina and Delaware
Comparison | North Carolina | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, garages | Proximity to beaches, energy efficiency |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that North Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Delaware.
- Compared to North Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and garages, Delaware real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to beaches and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Delaware is more walkable than North Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Delaware is more bike-friendly than North Carolina.
- Delaware has more of an urban feel than North Carolina.
- Delaware housing costs are 17% more expensive than they are in North Carolina, with a median home price of $385,745 compared to North Carolinaβs $329,225.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Delaware have increased by 42% compared to a 63% increase in North Carolina.
- Rent in Delaware is 6.86% more expensive than in North Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Carolina and Delaware
Comparison | North Carolina | 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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Nor'easters, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88/66 | 85/66 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50/30 | 45/28 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 20 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Carolina to Delaware. Delaware gets 5% fewer sunshine days than North Carolina.
- Delaware has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to North Carolina.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential nor'easters and hurricanes in Delaware.
- The average summer high temperature in Delaware is 3 degrees colder than in North Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees colder than they are in North Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Delaware. Delaware receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to North Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Carolina and Delaware
Comparison | North Carolina | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,481 | $82,174 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.85 | 102.45 |
State Income Tax | 5.25 | 6.60 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.84 | 0.56 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.98 | 0.00 |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Financial Services, Healthcare | Chemicals, Financial Services, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Notable | Moderate |
Homelessness | Present | Limited |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Delaware tend to earn about 22% more than those in North Carolina
- The COLI in Delaware will be 7% higher than what you are used to living in North Carolina
- The state income tax in DE is 6.60 compared to 5.25 in NC
- The affluence in Delaware is high compared to moderate affluence in North Carolina
- The poverty level is moderate in Delaware compared to notable poverty in North Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is present in North Carolina and limited in Delaware
Political and Religious Climate in North Carolina vs. Delaware
Comparison | North Carolina | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Divided Government | Democratic Stronghold |
Religion | Evangelical Protestant | Catholic |
- North Carolina tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Delaware, on the other hand, is often described as lean Liberal
- Delaware's religious environment can be described as Catholic
- North Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as evangelical Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from North Carolina to Delaware
Comparison | North Carolina | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University | University of Delaware Delaware State University Wilmington University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Endhaven Elementary - Charlotte Morehead Elementary - Greensboro Sterling Montessori Academy - Morrisville | Charter School of Wilmington - Wilmington Newark Charter School - Newark Odyssey Charter School - Wilmington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Community House Middle - Charlotte Jay M. Robinson Middle - Charlotte Smith Middle - Chapel Hill | Alfred G. Waters Middle - Middletown H.B. DuPont Middle - Hockessin Newark Charter Jr./Sr. High School - Newark |
Top 3 High Schools | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics - Durham Raleigh Charter High School - Raleigh Myers Park High - Charlotte | Charter School of Wilmington - Wilmington Newark Charter Jr./Sr. High School - Newark Cab Calloway School of the Arts - Wilmington |
Top 3 private high schools | Charlotte Country Day School - Charlotte Durham Academy - Durham Ravenscroft School - Raleigh | Tower Hill School - Wilmington St. Andrew's School - Middletown Salesianum School - Wilmington |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Cary Academy - Cary Charlotte Latin School - Charlotte Durham Academy - Durham | Tower Hill School - Wilmington St. Andrew's School - Middletown Sanford School - Hockessin |
Top 3 School Districts | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Wake County Public School System Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | Appoquinimink School District - Middletown Caesar Rodney School District - Camden Red Clay Consolidated School District - Wilmington |
How Much Do North Carolina to Delaware Movers Cost?
Moving 378 miles from North Carolina 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: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,204 | 300 ft3 | $4.01 |
1 Bedroom | $1,787 | 450 ft3 | $3.97 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,947 | 750 ft3 | $3.93 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,275 | 1100 ft3 | $3.89 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,151 | 1600 ft3 | $3.84 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,843 | 1800 ft3 | $3.80 |
Top North Carolina to Delaware Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Carolina to Delaware movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for North Carolina to Delaware