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Virginia to Delaware Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 275 mile interstate move from Virginia to Delaware? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs Delaware across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like heavy traffic vs less congestion), food & health (like Ham vs Scrapple), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Ham and Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Scrapple & Fried Chicken
  • Delaware housing costs are 0% less expensive than they are in Virginia
  • Rent in Delaware is 1.13% more expensive than in Virginia
  • Moving from Virginia to Delaware will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended Virginia to Delaware movers is ARS Movers

Virginia to Delaware Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to Delaware

ConsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Heavy traffic
  • High cost of living
  • Dense population
  • High property taxes
ProsDelaware iconDelaware
  • Less congestion
  • Affordable housing
  • Quieter neighborhoods
  • Lower taxes

Delaware iconDelaware
  • Less historical sites
  • Limited cultural scene
  • Fewer urban options
  • Fewer top hospitals
Virginia iconVirginia
  • Rich history
  • Diverse culture
  • Vibrant city life
  • Experienced healthcare

Pros of moving from Virginia to Delaware

  • Say goodbye to heavy traffic and hello to less congestion
  • Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Delaware with affordable housing
  • Swap the dense population of Virginia for quieter neighborhoods in Delaware
  • Get ready for lower taxes in Delaware

Cons of moving from Virginia to Delaware

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Virginia to live with fewer historical sites in Delaware
  • You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle with the con of a limited cultural scene
  • Time to bid farewell to vibrant city life and get used to fewer urban options in Delaware
  • Swap experienced healthcare for fewer top hospitals

Virginia vs. Delaware: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonVirginiaDelaware
Most iconic local food itemHamScrapple
Most popular meat dishBarbecueFried Chicken
Most popular street food itemHot DogsItalian Ice
Most popular vegan foodKale SaladVegan Crab Cakes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • L’Auberge Chez FranΓ§ois
  • Mama J’s Kitchen
  • Harry’s Savoy Grill
  • Big Fish Grill
  • Black Walnut Winery & Bistro
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Virginia to Delaware, you will be trading the iconic ham of Virginia for the equally delicious scrapple of Delaware. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful barbecue and sumptuous hot dogs, Delaware residents know they have tasty fried chicken and Italian ice to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the kale salad 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 Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, L’Auberge Chez FranΓ§ois, and Mama J’s Kitchen. 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, Big Fish Grill, and Black Walnut Winery & Bistro.

When comparing lifestyles, Delaware shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Delaware, compared to what you are used to in Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Delaware.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and Delaware

ComparisonVirginiaDelaware
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodColonial, Ranch
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, proximity to natureBeach access, community amenities
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Delaware.
  • Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to nature, Delaware real estate listings often highlight features like beach access and community amenities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Delaware is more walkable than Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Delaware is more bike-friendly than Virginia.
  • Delaware has less of an urban feel than Virginia.
  • Delaware housing costs are 0% less expensive than they are in Virginia, with a median home price of $385,745 compared to Virginia’s $385,780.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Delaware have increased by 42% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
  • Rent in Delaware is 1.13% more expensive than in Virginia.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Virginia and Delaware

ComparisonVirginiaDelaware
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHurricanes, StormsHurricanes, Nor'easters
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 66Β°F87Β°F / 68Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47Β°F / 27Β°F45Β°F / 28Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)44"45"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)10-20"10-15"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Virginia to Delaware. Delaware gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Virginia.
  • Delaware has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and storms in Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware.
  • The average summer high temperature in Delaware is 2 degrees warmer than in Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Delaware. Delaware receives 1 more inch of rain compared to Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and Delaware

ComparisonVirginiaDelaware
Avg. Household Income$85,873$82,174
Cost of Living Index96.6102.45
State Income Tax2% - 5.75%2.2% - 6.6%
Avg. Property Tax0.80%0.56%
Avg. Sales Tax5.3%0%
Top 3 IndustriesDefense, Technology, AgricultureChemical Manufacturing, Finance, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowModerately Low
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Delaware tend to earn about 4% less than in Virginia
  • The COLI in Delaware is 6% higher than what you are used to living in Virginia
  • The state income tax in DE is 2.2% to 6.6% compared to 2% to 5.75% in VA
  • The affluence in Delaware is moderate compared to moderate in Virginia
  • The poverty level is moderately low in Delaware compared to low in Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Virginia and moderate in Delaware

Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. Delaware

ComparisonVirginiaDelaware
Political Make-upSwing state, recently leaning DemocraticGenerally leans Democratic
Local PoliticsVaries widely between urban and rural areasMore uniformly Democratic, especially in urban areas
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communitiesChristianity predominant, smaller religious communities
  • Virginia tends to lean swing state, recently leaning Democratic in its political climate
  • Delaware, on the other hand, is often described as generally leaning Democratic
  • Delaware's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with smaller religious communities
  • Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominately Christianity with diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to Delaware

ComparisonVirginiaDelaware
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
William & Mary
University of Delaware
Delaware State University
Wilmington University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsArlington Science Focus School
Arlington; Stenwood Elementary School
Vienna; Nottingham Elementary School
Arlington
North Star Elementary School
Hockessin; Charter School of Wilmington
Wilmington; Brandywine Springs School
Wilmington
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle School
Falls Church; Cooper Middle School
McLean; Henley Middle School
Crozet
Alfred G. Waters Middle School
Middletown; H.B. DuPont Middle School
Hockessin; Cab Calloway School of the Arts
Wilmington
Top 3 High School SchoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Alexandria; McLean High School
McLean; Langley High School
McLean
Charter School of Wilmington
Wilmington; Newark Charter High School
Newark; Cab Calloway School of the Arts
Wilmington
Top 3 private high schoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Alexandria; The Potomac School
McLean; Episcopal High School
Alexandria
Archmere Academy
Claymont; Salesianum School
Wilmington; Wilmington Friends School
Wilmington
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Potomac School
McLean; Flint Hill School
Oakton; Collegiate School
Richmond
Tower Hill School
Wilmington; Wilmington Friends School
Wilmington; Sanford School
Hockessin
Top 3 School DistrictsFairfax County Public Schools; Loudoun County Public Schools; Arlington Public SchoolsBrandywine School District; Caesar Rodney School District; Red Clay Consolidated School District

How Much Do Virginia to Delaware Movers Cost?

Moving 275 miles from Virginia 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 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,155300 ft3$3.85
1 Bedroom$1,713450 ft3$3.81
2 Bedrooms$2,823750 ft3$3.76
3 Bedrooms$4,0931100 ft3$3.72
4 Bedrooms$5,8861600 ft3$3.68
5+ Bedrooms$6,5451800 ft3$3.64

Top Virginia to Delaware Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Virginia to Delaware movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Virginia to Delaware

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Matthew's Nationwide Moving featured image

Matthew's Nationwide Moving

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
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