Pennsylvania to Delaware Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 276 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Delaware? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Delaware across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher taxes vs no sales tax), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Scrapple), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs ranch, contemporary), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Delaware), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Pork and Sauerkraut, but get your taste buds ready for Scrapple & Fried Chicken
- Delaware housing costs are 48% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in Delaware is 24.74% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to Delaware will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Delaware movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Pennsylvania to Delaware Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Delaware
- Higher taxes
- Cold winters
- Heavy traffic
- Expensive healthcare
- PennDOT bureaucracy
- No sales tax
- Milder winters
- Less congestion
- Affordable healthcare
- Simpler DMV process
- Fewer cultural spots
- Limited urban areas
- Few public transit options
- Smaller art community
- Lack of major teams
- Cultural richness
- Big city feel
- Accessible amenities
- Vibrant art scene
- Sports teams
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Delaware
- Say goodbye to higher taxes and hello to no sales tax
- Look forward to moving away from cold winters and moving to Delaware with milder winters
- Swap the heavy traffic of Pennsylvania for less congestion in Delaware
- Get ready for affordable healthcare in Delaware
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Delaware
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the cultural richness in Pennsylvania to live with fewer cultural spots in Delaware
- You'll lose out on the pro of the big city feel and have to settle with the con of limited urban areas
- Time to bid farewell to accessible amenities and get used to few public transit options in Delaware
- Swap the vibrant art scene for a smaller art community
Pennsylvania vs. Delaware: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | Scrapple |
Most popular meat dish | Pork and Sauerkraut | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Soft Pretzel | Italian Ice |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Soup | Seitan Sandwich |
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 Pennsylvania to Delaware, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Scrapple of Delaware. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork and Sauerkraut and sumptuous Soft Pretzel, Delaware residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Italian Ice to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Sandwich of Delaware. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Zahav, and Pat's King of Steaks. 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 Dogfish Head Brewpub.
When comparing lifestyles, Delaware shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Delaware compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Delaware.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Delaware
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Ranch, Contemporary |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Historic Details, Large Yards | Beach Proximity, Modern Amenities |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Contemporary architecture typical of Delaware.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference historic details and large yards, Delaware real estate listings often highlight features like beach proximity and modern amenities.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Delaware is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Delaware is more bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- Delaware has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- Delaware housing costs are 48% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $385,745 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Delaware have increased by 42% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in Delaware is 24.74% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Delaware
Comparison | Pennsylvania | 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 | Storms, Floods | Storms, Coastal Flooding |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/62 | 87/66 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37/21 | 45/28 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 20 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Delaware. Delaware gets 11% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- Delaware has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
- Say goodbye to the possible storms and floods in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential storms and coastal flooding in Delaware.
- The average summer high temperature in Delaware is 2 degrees warmer than in Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees warmer than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Delaware. Delaware receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Delaware
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $82,174 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 102.45 |
State Income Tax | 3.07% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.58% | 0.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Energy | Banking, Chemical, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Notable | Lower |
Homelessness | Visible | Less visible |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Delaware tend to earn about 14% more than those in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in Delaware will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- Hooray, moving to DE means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Delaware is higher compared to moderate affluence in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is lower in Delaware compared to notable poverty in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Pennsylvania and less visible in Delaware
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Delaware
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately diverse, with a mix of Democratic and Republican strongholds | Leans more Democratic, particularly in urban areas |
Local Politics | Highly active local political scene with emphasis on labor and industry | Focuses on business-friendly policies and governance |
Religion | Varied religious landscape with a strong presence of Christianity | Christianity dominates, but with a growing diversity of other faiths |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean moderately diverse, with a mix of Democratic and Republican strongholds in its political climate
- Delaware, on the other hand, is often described as leaning more Democratic, particularly in urban areas
- Delaware's religious environment can be described as dominated by Christianity, but with a growing diversity of other faiths
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a varied religious landscape with a strong presence of Christianity
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Delaware
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Penn State University University of Pennsylvania Temple University | University of Delaware Delaware State University Wilmington University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Marshall Elementary School (Harrisburg) Bradford Heights Elementary (Downingtown) Whitemarsh Elementary (Conshohocken) | Lancashire Elementary School (Wilmington) North Star Elementary School (Hockessin) Brandywine Springs School (Wilmington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Hampton Middle School (Allison Park) Welsh Valley Middle School (Narberth) | H.B. Dupont Middle School (Hockessin) Alfred G. Waters Middle School (Middletown) Conrad Schools of Science (Wilmington) |
Top 3 High Schools | Conestoga High School (Berwyn) Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Central High School (Philadelphia) | Charter School of Wilmington (Wilmington) Cab Calloway School of the Arts (Wilmington) Sussex Technical High School (Georgetown) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) The Haverford School (Haverford) Mercersburg Academy (Mercersburg) | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) St. Andrew's School (Middletown) Wilmington Friends School (Wilmington) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Shipley School (Bryn Mawr) Friends Select School (Philadelphia) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) Wilmington Friends School (Wilmington) Sanford School (Hockessin) |
Top 3 School Districts | Tredyffrin/Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District | Appoquinimink School District Caesar Rodney School District Cape Henlopen School District |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to Delaware Movers Cost?
Moving 276 miles from Pennsylvania 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: 1-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,155 | 300 ft3 | $3.85 |
1 Bedroom | $1,714 | 450 ft3 | $3.81 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,824 | 750 ft3 | $3.77 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,095 | 1100 ft3 | $3.72 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,889 | 1600 ft3 | $3.68 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,548 | 1800 ft3 | $3.64 |
Top Pennsylvania to Delaware Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to Delaware movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Delaware