New Jersey to Delaware Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 156 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Delaware? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Delaware across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Taylor Ham/Pork Roll vs Scrapple), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs cape cod, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Taylor Ham/Pork Roll and Italian Hot Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Scrapple & Broiled Chicken
- Delaware housing costs are 25% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Delaware is 24.50% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Delaware will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Delaware movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Jersey to Delaware Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Delaware
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic congestion
- State income tax
- Harsh winters
- Urban sprawl
- Lower cost of living
- Less crowded roads
- No state sales tax
- Milder climate
- Quieter neighborhoods
- Fewer cultural events
- Quieter entertainment scene
- Fewer restaurant choices
- Further from NYC
- Limited transit options
- Broadway Shows
- Atlantic City nightlife
- Diverse dining options
- Proximity to NYC
- Public transportation
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Delaware
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic congestion and moving to Delaware with less crowded roads
- Swap the state income tax of New Jersey for no state sales tax in Delaware
- Get ready for a milder climate in Delaware
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Delaware
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from Broadway shows in New Jersey to live with fewer cultural events in Delaware
- You'll lose out on the pro of Atlantic City nightlife and have to settle for the con of a quieter entertainment scene
- Time to bid farewell to diverse dining options and get used to fewer restaurant choices in Delaware
- Swap proximity to NYC for being further from NYC
New Jersey vs. Delaware: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll | Scrapple |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dog | Broiled Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Fries with Vinegar |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Pizza | Vegan Crab Cakes |
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 New Jersey to Delaware, you will be trading the iconic Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Scrapple of Delaware. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dog and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, Delaware residents know they have tasty Broiled Chicken and Fries with Vinegar to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan 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 New Jersey eateries like Carlo's Bakery, Don's Jersey Pub, and White House Sub Shop. 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, Grotto Pizza, and Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats.
When comparing lifestyles, Delaware shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Delaware compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Delaware.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Delaware
Comparison | New Jersey | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Cape Cod, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, Good Schools | Beach Access, Low Property Taxes |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Cape Cod and Ranch architecture typical of Delaware.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and good schools, Delaware real estate listings often highlight features like beach access and low property taxes.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Delaware is more walkable than New Jersey.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Delaware is less bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- Delaware has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Delaware housing costs are 25% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $385,745 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in Delaware have increased by 42% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Delaware is 24.50% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Delaware
Comparison | New Jersey | 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, Nor'easters, Floods | Hurricanes, Nor'easters, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/66 | 87/68 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/22 | 44/25 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 | 20 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Jersey to Delaware. Delaware gets 2% fewer sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Delaware has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes, nor'easters, and floods in New Jersey, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes, nor'easters, and floods in Delaware.
- The average summer high temperature in Delaware is 2 degrees warmer than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees warmer than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Delaware. Delaware receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Delaware
Comparison | New Jersey | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $82,174 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 102.45 |
State Income Tax | up to 10.75% | up to 6.6% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.40% | 0.55% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.63% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Manufacturing, Tourism | Finance, Agriculture, Tourism |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Delaware tend to earn about 15% less than those in New Jersey
- The COLI in Delaware is 21% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in DE is up to 6.6% compared to up to 10.75% in NJ
- The affluence in Delaware is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
- The poverty level is low in Delaware compared to moderate in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and low in Delaware
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Delaware
Comparison | New Jersey | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Liberal | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Diverse, with pockets of conservative areas | Liberal in urban areas, more conservative in rural areas |
Religion | Catholic, Jewish, Protestant | Protestant, Catholic |
- New Jersey tends to lean Liberal in its political climate
- Delaware, on the other hand, is often described as lean Liberal
- Delaware's religious environment can be described as Protestant and Catholic
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Delaware
Comparison | New Jersey | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University The College of New Jersey | University of Delaware Delaware State University Wilmington University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Central Elementary School (East Brunswick) Moss Elementary School (Metuchen) | Charter School of Wilmington Newark Charter School Odyssey Charter School (Wilmington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas Grover Middle School (West Windsor) Community Middle School (Plainsboro) William R. Satz Middle School (Holmdel) | Cab Calloway School of the Arts (Wilmington) Sussex Academy (Georgetown) Newark Charter Jr./Sr. High School |
Top 3 High School Schools | High Technology High School (Lincroft) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) Princeton High School | Charter School of Wilmington Newark Charter High School Sussex Technical High School (Georgetown) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Blair Academy (Blairstown) | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) Saint Andrew's School (Middletown) Wilmington Friends School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Princeton Day School (Princeton) The Montclair Kimberley Academy (Montclair) The Morristown-Beard School (Morristown) | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) Sanford School (Hockessin) Saint Andrew's School (Middletown) |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township School District Summit Public Schools | Appoquinimink School District Caesar Rodney School District Cape Henlopen School District |
How Much Do New Jersey to Delaware Movers Cost?
Moving 156 miles from New Jersey to Delaware 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: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,097 | 300 ft3 | $3.66 |
1 Bedroom | $1,627 | 450 ft3 | $3.62 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,679 | 750 ft3 | $3.57 |
3 Bedrooms | $3,883 | 1100 ft3 | $3.53 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,580 | 1600 ft3 | $3.49 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,201 | 1800 ft3 | $3.45 |
Top New Jersey to Delaware Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Delaware movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Big G Movers, INC
Best moving company overall for New Jersey to Delaware