Washington to Delaware Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 2,771 mile interstate move from Washington to Delaware? This moving guide will help you compare living in Washington vs Delaware across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower housing costs), food & health (like Salmon vs Scrapple), real estate & housing (northwest contemporary vs colonial revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Salmon and Geoduck Clam, but get your taste buds ready for Scrapple & Chicken
- Delaware housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Washington
- Rent in Delaware is 6.12% more affordable than in Washington
- Moving from Washington to Delaware will cost on average between $3,000 - $10,000
- Our top recommended Washington to Delaware movers is Seattle Moves & More
Washington to Delaware Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to Delaware
- High cost of living
- Rainy weather
- Traffic congestion
- Higher taxes
- Lower housing costs
- Milder winters
- Less crowded roads
- No sales tax
- Fewer major museums
- Smaller green spaces
- Limited tech jobs
- Fewer culinary specialties
- Rich cultural scene
- Abundant nature
- Strong tech industry
- Diverse dining options
Pros of moving from Washington to Delaware
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower housing costs
- Look forward to moving away from rainy weather and moving to Delaware with milder winters
- Swap the traffic congestion of Washington for less crowded roads in Delaware
- Get ready for no sales tax in Delaware
Cons of moving from Washington to Delaware
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich cultural scene in Washington to live with fewer major museums in Delaware
- You'll lose out on the pro of abundant nature and have to settle for the con of smaller green spaces
- Time to bid farewell to the strong tech industry and get used to limited tech jobs in Delaware
- Swap diverse dining options for fewer culinary specialties
Washington vs. Delaware: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Washington | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Salmon | Scrapple |
Most popular meat dish | Geoduck Clam | Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Italian Sausage Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Pho | Seitan BBQ 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 Washington to Delaware, you will be trading the iconic Salmon of Washington for the equally delicious Scrapple of Delaware. And while the locals in Washington rave about their flavorful Geoduck Clam and sumptuous Tacos, Delaware residents know they have tasty Chicken and Italian Sausage Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Pho they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan BBQ Sandwich of Delaware. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Washington eateries like Canlis, The Herb Farm, and Pike Place Chowder. After the boxes are unpacked in Delaware, don't wait too long before making your way to Delaware's acclaimed eateries like Harvest House, Big Fish Grill on the Riverfront, and Sambo's Tavern.
When comparing lifestyles, Delaware shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Washington. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Delaware compared to what you are used to in Washington. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Delaware.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Washington and Delaware
Comparison | Washington | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Northwest Contemporary | Colonial Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Outdoor spaces, Eco-friendliness | Historical features, Proximity to beaches |
- The Northwest Contemporary architecture that Washington is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival architecture typical of Delaware.
- Compared to Washington's real estate listings that commonly reference outdoor spaces and eco-friendliness, Delaware real estate listings often highlight features like historical characteristics and proximity to beaches.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Delaware is less walkable than Washington.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Delaware is less bike-friendly than Washington.
- Delaware has less of an urban feel than Washington.
- Delaware housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Washington, with a median home price of $385,745 compared to Washingtonβs $591,148.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Delaware have increased by 42% compared to a 49% increase in Washington.
- Rent in Delaware is 6.12% more affordable than in Washington.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Washington and Delaware
Comparison | Washington | 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 | Earthquakes, Volcanoes | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 75Β°F / 55Β°F | 85Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β°F / 36Β°F | 44Β°F / 28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 38 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 49 | 20 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Washington to Delaware. Delaware gets 32% more sunshine days than Washington.
- Delaware has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Washington.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Delaware is 10 degrees warmer than in Washington.
- The average winter lows are 8 degrees colder than they are in Washington.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Delaware. Delaware receives 7 more inches of rain compared to Washington.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Washington and Delaware
Comparison | Washington | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $91,306 | $82,174 |
Cost of Living Index | 104.1 | 102.45 |
State Income Tax | Up to 10% | Up to 6.6% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.03% | 0.56% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.5% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Tech, Aerospace, Agriculture | Chemicals, Banking, Health |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Delaware tend to earn about 10% less than those in Washington
- The COLI in Delaware will be 2% lower than what you are used to living in Washington
- The state income tax in DE is up to 6.6% compared to up to 10% in WA
- The affluence in Delaware is moderate compared to high in Washington
- The poverty level is low in Delaware compared to moderate in Washington
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Washington and low in Delaware
Political and Religious Climate in Washington vs. Delaware
Comparison | Washington | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | Progressive in urban areas | Moderate with progressive elements |
Religion | Mix, with nonreligious individuals | Mix, with a higher Christian population |
- Washington tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Delaware, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Delaware's religious environment can be described as a mix, with a higher Christian population
- Washington's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix, with nonreligious individuals
Education Guide When Moving from Washington to Delaware
Comparison | Washington | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Washington Washington State University Seattle University | University of Delaware Delaware State University Wilmington University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cascade Ridge (Issaquah) Medina Elementary (Medina) Challenge Elementary (Bellevue) | North Star (Hockessin) Linden Hill (Wilmington) Brandywine Springs School (Wilmington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | International School (Bellevue) Odle Middle School (Bellevue) Islander Middle School (Mercer Island) | Alfred G. Waters Middle (Middletown) H.B. du Pont Middle (Hockessin) Cab Calloway School of the Arts (Wilmington) |
Top 3 High School Schools | International School (Bellevue) Newport High School (Bellevue) Tesla STEM High School (Redmond) | Charter School of Wilmington Cab Calloway School of the Arts Conrad Schools of Science (Wilmington) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Overlake School (Redmond) Lakeside School (Seattle) Eastside Preparatory School (Kirkland) | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) Saint Andrew's School (Middletown) Wilmington Friends School (Wilmington) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Eastside Preparatory School (Kirkland) The Bear Creek School (Redmond) Seattle Academy (Seattle) | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) Wilmington Friends School (Wilmington) Saint Edmond's Academy (Wilmington) |
Top 3 School Districts | Bellevue School District Mercer Island School District Lake Washington School District | Appoquinimink School District Brandywine School District Cape Henlopen School District |
How Much Do Washington to Delaware Movers Cost?
Moving 2,771 miles from Washington to Delaware will typically cost between $4,000 and $10,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $10,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,773 | 300 ft3 | $9.24 |
1 Bedroom | $4,138 | 450 ft3 | $9.19 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,859 | 750 ft3 | $9.14 |
3 Bedrooms | $10,004 | 1100 ft3 | $9.09 |
4 Bedrooms | $14,472 | 1600 ft3 | $9.04 |
5+ Bedrooms | $16,191 | 1800 ft3 | $8.99 |
Top Washington to Delaware Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Washington to Delaware movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.
Seattle Moves & More
Best moving company overall for Washington to Delaware