Tennessee to Delaware Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 795 mile interstate move from Tennessee to Delaware? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs Delaware across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs mild summers), food & health (like Barbecue vs Scrapple), real estate & housing (traditional, craftsman vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Delaware), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Barbecue and Hot Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Scrapple & Chicken Bog
- Delaware housing costs are 22% more expensive than they are in Tennessee
- Rent in Delaware is 10.10% more expensive than in Tennessee
- Moving from Tennessee to Delaware will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Tennessee to Delaware movers is Alpha Moving & Storage LLC
Tennessee to Delaware Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Tennessee to Delaware
- Hot summers
- Tornadoes
- High sales tax
- Long commutes
- Limited coastal access
- Mild summers
- Rarely severe storms
- No sales tax
- Shorter commutes
- Beaches nearby
- Higher cost of living
- Smaller music scene
- Different social vibe
- Limited BBQ options
- Less natural variety
- Low cost of living
- Rich music culture
- Southern hospitality
- BBQ cuisine
- Beautiful landscapes
Pros of moving from Tennessee to Delaware
- Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to mild summers
- Look forward to moving away from tornadoes and moving to Delaware with rarely severe storms
- Swap the high sales tax of Tennessee for no sales tax in Delaware
- Get ready for shorter commutes in Delaware
Cons of moving from Tennessee to Delaware
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Tennessee to live with a higher cost of living in Delaware
- You'll lose out on the pro of a rich music culture and have to settle for the con of a smaller music scene
- Time to bid farewell to southern hospitality and get used to a different social vibe in Delaware
- Swap BBQ cuisine for limited BBQ options
Tennessee vs. Delaware: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Tennessee | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Barbecue | Scrapple |
Most popular meat dish | Hot Chicken | Chicken Bog |
Most popular street food item | Pulled Pork Sandwich | Italian Sub |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Mushroom "Crab" Cake |
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 Tennessee to Delaware, you will be trading the iconic Barbecue of Tennessee for the equally delicious Scrapple of Delaware. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful Hot Chicken and sumptuous Pulled Pork Sandwich, Delaware residents know they have tasty Chicken Bog and Italian Sub 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 'Crab' Cake of Delaware. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Tennessee eateries like The Rendezvous, Loveless Cafe, and Prince's Hot Chicken Shack. After the boxes are unpacked in Delaware, don't wait too long before making your way to Delaware's acclaimed eateries like Deer Park Tavern, Harry's Savoy Grill, and Mad Macs.
When comparing lifestyles, Delaware shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Tennessee. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Delaware, compared to what you are used to in Tennessee. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Delaware.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and Delaware
Comparison | Tennessee | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Traditional, Craftsman | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, scenic views | Proximity to beaches, modern amenities |
- The Traditional and Craftsman architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Delaware.
- Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and scenic views, Delaware real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to beaches and modern amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Delaware is more walkable than Tennessee.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Delaware is more bike-friendly than Tennessee.
- Delaware has more of an urban feel than Tennessee.
- Delaware housing costs are 22% more expensive than they are in Tennessee, with a median home price of $385,745 compared to Tennesseeβs $317,482.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Delaware have increased 42% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
- Rent in Delaware is 10.10% more expensive than in Tennessee.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Tennessee and Delaware
Comparison | Tennessee | 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 | Tornadoes, Floods | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88/68 | 85/66 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49/30 | 45/29 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 20 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Tennessee to Delaware. Delaware gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Tennessee.
- Delaware has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Tennessee.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Tennessee, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware.
- The average summer high temperature in Delaware is 3 degrees colder than in Tennessee.
- The average winter lows in Delaware are 1 degree colder than they are in Tennessee.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Delaware. Delaware receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to Tennessee.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and Delaware
Comparison | Tennessee | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,254 | $82,174 |
Cost of Living Index | 88.9 | 102.45 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 2.2% - 5.55% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.64% | 0.56% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.55% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture | Finance, Healthcare, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Noticeable | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Delaware tend to earn about 26% more than in Tennessee
- The COLI in Delaware will be 15% higher than what you are used to living in Tennessee
- Bummer... By moving from TN to DE, you'll now have a state income tax of 2.2% to 5.55%
- The affluence in Delaware is moderate compared to moderate in Tennessee
- The poverty level is moderate in Delaware compared to noticeable in Tennessee
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Tennessee and low in Delaware
Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. Delaware
Comparison | Tennessee | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative, with a strong Republican presence | Primarily Democratic, especially in metropolitan areas |
Local Politics | Focused on rural and agricultural issues | Concentrated on urban development and coastal management |
Religion | Highly religious, predominantly Christian (Tennessee Gov) | Moderately religious, diverse faith expressions (<a href="https://delaware.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Delaware Gov</a>) |
- Tennessee tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Delaware, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Democratic, especially in metropolitan areas
- Delaware's religious environment can be described as moderately religious with diverse faith expressions (<a href="https://delaware.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">delaware Gov</a>)
- Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian (Tennessee Gov)
Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to Delaware
Comparison | Tennessee | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Tennessee Vanderbilt University Tennessee State University | University of Delaware Delaware State University Wilmington University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Lipscomb Elementary (Brentwood) Walton Ferry Elementary (Hendersonville) Scales Elementary (Brentwood) | Charter School of Wilmington Newark Charter School Odyssey Charter School |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Brentwood Middle School (Brentwood) Meigs Magnet Middle School (Nashville) Houston Middle School (Germantown) | Conrad Schools of Science HB Dupont Middle School Alfred G Waters Middle School |
Top 3 High School Schools | Hume-Fogg Academic High School (Nashville) Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro) Brentwood High School (Brentwood) | Charter School of Wilmington Cab Calloway School of the Arts Newark Chartered School |
Top 3 private high schools | Baylor School (Chattanooga) McCallie School (Chattanooga) Harpeth Hall School (Nashville) | Archmere Academy Tower Hill School St. Andrew's School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Baylor School (Chattanooga) McCallie School (Chattanooga) Harpeth Hall School (Nashville) | Tower Hill School St. Andrew's School Sanford School |
Top 3 School Districts | Williamson County Schools Franklin Special School District Maryville City Schools | Brandywine School District Caesar Rodney School District Appoquinimink School District |
How Much Do Tennessee to Delaware Movers Cost?
Moving 795 miles from Tennessee 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: 2-4.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Rice's Professional Moving Service
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,653 | 300 ft3 | $5.51 |
1 Bedroom | $2,457 | 450 ft3 | $5.46 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,058 | 750 ft3 | $5.41 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,897 | 1100 ft3 | $5.36 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,497 | 1600 ft3 | $5.31 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,469 | 1800 ft3 | $5.26 |
Top Tennessee to Delaware Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Tennessee to Delaware movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC
Best moving company overall for Tennessee to Delaware