Moving to Delaware

There are several reasons that lead people to relocate to a new home. Maybe you’re needing to start fresh somewhere else. Maybe you just recently retired from your profession and want to live your best life in a different place or maybe you’re moving because you got promoted in your job.

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• Delaware is also known as the First State, for it was the first American state to ratify the constitution back in the 1700s
• Aerial view of Downtown Wilmington, the most populous city in Delaware

Whatever the reason why you’re moving to Delaware, the process will basically be the same — that’s why our comprehensive guide on moving to Delaware can help you! Here you’ll learn more about Delaware and its history, culture, and geography, which are all important factors in determining whether a city is ideal for you or not.

In addition to that, we’ll also help you understand the nuances of the moving process — so stay tuned!

Pros and Cons

According to rankings, Delaware is the 23rd best state in America. While that’s not necessarily a bad position in the ranking, it’s also not one of the best. Are you curious to know why Delaware is not among the top 20 states in the U.S.? Here are the pros and cons of living in the First State!

Pros

• Job market
  • Delaware has the 19th lowest unemployment rate in the United States, and almost 50% of the population is currently employed. There has been a job growth of over 5% in Delaware, meaning that the job market in this state is growing.
• Home prices
  • Both the average home price and the median home price in Delaware are below the national average, according to Zillow — this means that housing is pretty affordable in Delaware!
• Economic growth
  • Delaware ranks at #17 in terms of economy. The job growth in this state is 1.6%, whereas the national average is 1.2%.
• Proximity to major cities
  • Moving to Delaware means that you’ll be less than 200 miles away from major cities that include Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, and New York City.
• Tax friendly
  • While you’ll still have to pay taxes while living in Delaware, we have some good news: there are no shopping taxes in this state! That is, when you’re out buying stuff, you’ll pay the price on the item with no additionals!
• Beautiful beaches
  • Delaware is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to its east, therefore it is home to beautiful (and clean) beaches, including Rehoboth Beach, which is extremely popular among tourists.
• Good health care
  • The state of Delaware may not be the best for health care, but it is still among the 15 best states in terms of health. On top of that, Delaware is close to some of the best hospitals in the country, including The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Cons

• Costs of living
  • In spite of having lower home prices than other U.S. states, Delaware has a relatively high cost of living — though it’s still cheaper to live here than in other states on the East Coast.
• Population density
  • Delaware is home to almost 1 million people but it is also the second smallest state in America — this means that the population density in Delaware is pretty high, which may be a con for some people.
• Pollution issues
  • The state of Delaware ranks #47 in terms of the natural environment. This state has high levels of air pollution, releasing over 2,500 pounds of industrial toxins (whereas the national average is approximately 1,000 pounds).
• Crime rates
  • Out of all fifty states, Delaware ranks at #36 when it comes to crime and corrections — mostly due to the fact that the First State has a high rate of violent crimes.
• International flights
  • If traveling abroad is a big part of your routine, we have to let you know that there are no direct international flights to Delaware. You’ll have to make a connection in Philadelphia or Baltimore for that!
• Natural disasters
  • Unfortunately, natural disasters are no strangers to the East Coast — and it’s no different in Delaware. Living in the First State means that you’ll have to be ready for possible disasters in the future.
• Public transportation
  • According to residents, moving to Delaware may not be ideal if you don’t have a car (or a driver’s license). The First State’s public transportation still leaves a lot to be desired.

Fun Facts

Delaware may be small in area, but it has a pretty extensive history. It was the very first state to ratify the most important document in the country, and it is also the home state to the current U.S. President, Joe Biden. Here are 6 fun facts about Delaware!

1. Constitution
   • Do you know why Delaware is called the ‘First State’? It’s because it was the first state in America to ratify the Constitution of the United States back in 1787.
2. Number of counties
   • Delaware has the fewest counties among all fifty states: it only has 3 counties! They are Kent County, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
3. National Parks
   • Who doesn’t love visiting national parks? If you do, then moving to Delaware may not be advised! Delaware is one of the few states that doesn’t have any national parks.
4. Chemical Capital
   • The economy in Delaware is largely based on chemical manufacturing, thus there are several chemical companies in this state — which is why Delaware is called the ‘Chemical Capital of the World’.
5. Joe Biden Station
   • The current U.S. President, Mr. Joe Biden, is a Delaware citizen, and he used to take the train to Washington every day during his Senate career. In 2011, during Joe Biden’s second term as Vice-President, the former Pennsylvania Station was officially renamed to ‘Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Railroad Station’.
6. Oldest Churches
   • Back in the early 1600s, Delaware was being colonized mostly by groups of Dutch people. The region which is known today as Wilmington was once occupied by Swedes, who established one of the oldest churches still operating in America.

Funny State Laws

Every state in the United States has its share of weird and funny laws. Most of them were created during periods of time in which most of the things we consider normal today were still considered wrong. If you’re curious to know which types of funny laws exist in Delaware, here are 5 of them!

• Changing clothes
  • If you’re in Rehoboth Beach or in Fenwick Island, keep in mind that it’s illegal to change clothes inside any vehicle!
• Drive-in movie theaters
  • Did your favorite director just release an R-rated movie? Well, if you’re in Delaware, you won’t be able to watch it in a drive-in cinema — it’s illegal for them to feature R-rated movies!
• Pretending to sleep
  • If you’re in Fenwick Island or in Rehoboth Beach, be aware that it’s illegal to pretend that you’re sleeping on the boardwalk!
• Tight-fitting jeans
  • Are you moving to Lewes, Delaware? Keep in mind that it is forbidden by law to wear pants that are tight-fitting around the waist.
• Getting married
  • Another funny law in Lewes, Delaware is that it is illegal for two people to get married on a dare!

Weather and Climate

Delaware is located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, and it has the lowest elevation among all states in America. Summers in the First State can range from warm to hot, with temperatures going as up as 90 °F. As to the wintertime, Delaware’s winter is a mixture of the cold of the north and the mild temperatures from the south. Temperatures can go as low as below 0 °F in the winter and there’s heavy snowfall. If you’re moving to Delaware, you may want to do it from June to August, when the weather is sunny and warm. If you’re going between November and February, be ready to face some of the coldest days of your life!

Nature

• Rehoboth Beach is a coastal city in Delaware which is especially popular thanks to its clean beaches and proximity to D.C
• View of the Rehoboth Beach

As we’ve mentioned previously, Delaware has been widely considered the lowest elevated state in America, at only approximately 60 feet above sea level. The highest point in the First State is the Ebright Azimuth, which is less than 450 feet above sea level. In other words, when you move to Delaware, you’ll see that there are no mountains in the state. What you will find, however, are beautiful beaches and amazing forests. Here are 5 natural attractions you can visit in Delaware:

• Fenwick Island State Park
• Rehoboth Beach
• Rockford Park
• Delaware Seashore State Park
• Cape Henlopen State Park

Natural Disasters

We’ve mentioned previously that natural disasters are one of the cons of living in Delaware. Residents in the First State report that Delaware doesn’t have a good enough infrastructure to deal with natural disasters. Because of its location in the Mid-Atlantic region, Delaware is at larger risks of disasters that include:

• Hurricanes
• Nor’easters
• Floodings
• Heatwaves
• Tornadoes
• Thunderstorms

Moving Prices from Major Cities

Are you currently planning on moving to Delaware? If the answer is yes, we’re here to help you! Relocating can be quite expensive, so one of the first things you have to do is get as many moving quotes as possible. You can use our free moving costs calculator — but to give you a headstart here are a few estimated values of how much you’ll spend moving to Delaware from 6 major cities in the United States:

• Moving from Dallas, Texasto Delaware: $2650 – $4417
• Moving from Los Angeles, Californiato Delaware: $4385 – $7308
• Moving from New York City, New Yorkto Delaware: $883 – $1472
• Moving from Salt Lake City, Utahto Delaware: $3591 – $5986
• Moving from Seattle, Washingtonto Delaware: $4484 – $7473
• Moving from Miami, Florida to Delaware: $2277 – $3795

Housing / Real Estate

Over the course of 2020, there has been a boom in the real estate market in Delaware. In January, last year, the median home price in the First State was $269,000. Flash forward one year, and the median home price in Delaware is now $284,000. As to renting, the average rent price in Delaware is approximately $1,000/month.

Price of Living

If you’re moving to Delaware, you’re probably wondering how much you’ll spend every month with basic expenses. The First State is not necessarily the cheapest place to live in America, but it isn’t the most expensive either. Here are the monthly costs a family of 2 adults and 2 children would have in 5 different areas of Delaware:

Dover (metro area)

Philadelphia/Camden/Wilmington (metro area)

Sussex County (metro area)

Kent County

New Castle County

The estimated costs of living in Delaware were calculated using the Family Budget Calculator provided by the EPI.

Demographics

When it comes to population, Delaware ranks at #46 with approximately 973,700 residents. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population in Delaware has increased by 8.4% since 2010. More than half of the residents are female persons, and approximately 20% are persons 65 years and over. The racial composition of Delaware is distributed as follows:

• White (alone): 69,2%
• Black (alone): 23,2%
• Hispanic or Latino: 9,6%
• Asian (alone): 4,1%
• Two or more races: 2,7%

Education

When it comes to education, Delaware ranks at #23 among all fifty states. While its higher education system is slightly better than in other states, the public education system in Delaware is not necessarily the best. Test results show that most high schools in Delaware still have a lot to improve. If you’re moving to Delaware, here are the top schools and universities in the First State!

High schools

• Charter School of Wilmington
• Newark Charter School
• Cab Calloway School of the Arts
• Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences
• Caesar Rodney High School

Universities

• University of Delaware
• Delaware State University
• Wesley College
• Wilmington University
• Delaware Technical Community College — Terry

Health Care and Medical Institutions

The state of Delaware is the fifteenth-best state for health care in the United States. It has one of the best health care quality in the country, though its public health quality ranks at #28. There are currently only 7,8% uninsured adults in Delaware, which is considerably below the national average. The access to health care in Delaware is also not one of the best, especially considering that health care expenses in the First State are higher than the national average. Here are the top hospitals in Delaware:

• Christiana Care Hospitals (Newark, Delaware)
• Beebe Healthcare (Lewes, Delaware)
• Bayhealth Kent General Hospital (Dover, Delaware)
• Nemours Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children (Wilmington, Delaware)
• Nanticoke Memorial Hospital (Seaford, Delaware)

Tourism / Attractions

Delaware may be the second smallest state in America, but having a small size doesn’t mean that this state doesn’t have a lot to offer to tourists. Delaware is home to beautiful beaches, including Rehoboth Beach, and plenty of historical sites. If you’re moving to Delaware, rest assured that there’ll be lots of places for you to visit during your free time. Here are 5 tourist attractions you can visit in Delaware:

• Hagley Museum
• Cape Henlopen State Park
• Delaware Art Museum
• Fenwick Island State Park
• Dover International Speedway

Top Cities

Delaware’s population of approximately 973,000 people is distributed across the 57 municipalities that exist in the First State. Delaware is the sixth least populous state in America, hence why its top cities have less than 100,000 inhabitants! If you’re moving to Delaware, here are the 5 top cities in the First State!

1. Wilmington
   • The most populous city in Delaware, Wilmington is home to a little over 70,000 people. Because of the many chemical industries in the city, it is often referred to as the Chemical Capital of the world.
2. Dover
   • Dover is the capital of Delaware and it is home to approximately 36,000 people. Because of the low costs of living here, the economy of Dover is quite promising.
3. Newark
   • Home to a little over 31,000 people, Newark is known for having an extensive history in terms of education, with the first schools being built back in 1743.
4. Middletown
   • Middletown is a picturesque town that is home to a little over 22,000 people. Due to its location, Middletown is perfect for those who have to work in larger cities but prefer to live in quieter, smaller areas — it is only 30 minutes away from Wilmington and 1 hour away from Philadelphia!
5. Lewes
   • You’ll probably be surprised to find that Lewes is home to only 2,747 people. This coastal city is rapidly growing (along with Rehoboth Beach and other cities in Delaware’s Cape Region) and it is proud to be the first city to be established in the First State!

Job Market

According to reports, there are approximately 449,500 people currently employed in the state of Delaware — which accounts for almost half of the population. Delaware ranks at #19 out of 50 in terms of unemployment, with an unemployment rate of 5.3 The top hiring companies in Delaware are:

• The State of Delaware
• JPMorgan Chase
• DuPont
• Walmart
• University of Delaware

You can visit the State of Delaware’s official website to search for open job positions.

Economy

Delaware’s economy relies on different sectors that include tourism, chemical manufacturing, banking, and agriculture. The chemical industry’s presence in Delaware is so strong that this state is known as the Chemical Capital of the World — and the presence of corporations has also given Delaware the nickname of Corporate Capital. Here are the top industries in Delaware:

• Education
• Food services
• Construction
• Agricultural and chemical manufacturing
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing

Things to do in Delaware

Delaware may be the second smallest state in the U.S., but you can rest assured that there’ll be plenty of things to do in Delaware once you move to this state. From historic sites to amazing beaches, you’ll certainly find the perfect location to visit in Delaware. To give you an idea of what you’ll find once you move to the First States, here are 8 attractions in Delaware!

1. Rehoboth Beach
   • Rehoboth Beach is a coastal city in Delaware that is especially known for its beautiful (and clean) beaches, but also for its amazing trails and parks.
2. Delaware Art Museum
   • If you’re an art lover, then you can’t miss the opportunity to visit the Delaware Art Museum, where you’ll get to appreciate over 12,000 art pieces!
3. Funland
   • If you’re visiting Rehoboth Beach with your family, you’ll probably want to visit Funland and take your kids on fun rides and games at this amusement park.
4. Winterthur Museum and Gardens
   • Are you interested in history? Then you must visit the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library. This place once belonged to a member of the du Pont family and now houses one of the largest collections of Americana artifacts in the country!
5. Nemours Mansion
   • Another property that belonged to the du Pont family is the Nemours Mansion, which was built in 1910 and has over 100 rooms. The Mansion houses rare items from 18th century France and it is open to visitors!
6. Cape Henlopen State Park
   • Are you looking forward to spending your days out in the sun? At the Cape Henlopen State Park, you can go surfing, fishing, walking, bicycling, and many other things!
7. Air Mobility Command Museum
   • If you’re into aviation, the Air Mobility Command Museums is dedicated to displaying restored military cargo and tanker planes — as well as displaying the men and women who have flown and maintained these airplanes!
8. Dover International Speedway
   • Are you into racing? In this case, you’ll surely like to visit the Dover International Speedway — the race track that hosts events from both NASCAR and the Indy Racing League.

Public Transport

As we’ve mentioned previously, public transport in Delaware is not quite as efficient as in other states of the Mid-Atlantic region/East Coast. The only public transport system in the First State is called DART — but you can also ride trains to most places within and around Delaware. Here are 8 means of transportation available in Delaware:

Crime and Safety

In terms of crime and safety, Delaware ranks at #36 among all U.S. states. The First State has issues with both corrections and with public safety. The rate of violent crimes in Delaware is higher than the national rate — whereas the U.S. rate for violent crimes is 394 crimes per 100,000 residents, Delaware’s rate is 453. Property crime rates in Delaware are also slightly above the national average. Here are the 5 safest cities in Delaware:

• Smyrna
• Lewes
• Milton
• Ocean View
• Frederica

Acquire a new driver’s license in Delaware

If you’re relocating to Delaware, one of the very first things you may want to do is get a Delaware driver’s license. We’ve mentioned previously that public transportation in the First State still leaves a lot to be desired — your best option of going around town is by having your own car. Once you move to Delaware permanently, you have 60 days to transfer your out-of-state license or to acquire a new driver’s license in Delaware. Here’s what you have to do:

• Visit the nearest DMV in Delaware;
• Fill in the required forms;
• Bring the necessary documentation:
  • Proof of a Social Security number;
  • Proof of identity/legal presence;
  • Two proofs of Delaware residency.
• Turn in your current out-of-state driver’s license.

On top of that, you may have to undergo an eye test, as well as a written and a road exam — but these exams are usually waived if all your documentation is OK and if your license is still valid.

Road Safety, Highways, and Routes

In Delaware, the average commute time is slightly below the national average at 26,5 minutes — which means that in the First State it takes a little less time for you to commute than in other states. In addition to that, only 11% of Delaware’s roads are in poor conditions, whereas the national average is 23,5%. According to a report presented by the Delaware State Police, there were approximately 21,000 vehicle crashes in the state in 2019 — which represents a decrease of 3,7% in comparison to the year before. If you’re moving to Delaware, here are the main highways and routes in the First State:

Interstate Highways

• I-95
• I-495
• I-295

State Routes

• DE 1
• DE 9
• DE 15
• DE 30
• DE 24

Museums

Delaware was the very first state in the United States to ratify the constitution — and that piece of information should be enough to make us guess that this state has quite a lot of history to tell. If you’re into history and art, here’s a list of 5 museums you can visit in the state of Delaware:

• Biggs Museum of American Art (Dover, Delaware)
• Delaware Art Museum (Wilmington, Delaware)
• Delaware Museum of Natural History (Greenville, Delaware)
• Fenwick Island Light (Fenwick Island, Delaware)
• Paul R. Jones Collection of African American Art (Newark, Delaware)

In the end, is moving to Delaware worth it?

Delaware is the second smallest state in America, and it ranks at #23 in the overall ratings for best states in the country. If you work in the chemical industry or in corporations, moving to Delaware may be worth it, as this state is considered the Chemical Capital of the World and it is a steadily-growing corporate hub. Home prices in Delaware are slightly below the national average, but the costs of living in this state are a bit pricey, especially if you’re moving with your family.

How to Move to Delaware

If you’ve decided that moving to Delaware is ideal for you, the first thing you should know is that the process of relocating to a different state can be quite stressful and tiresome. However, you can easily prevent any issues during your move by following these 10 simple steps!

1. Plan Ahead
   • The best way to avoid major issues is to plan ahead of moving, instead of moving on a whim. Things don’t always work perfectly, but if you plan your move, you’ll solve most issues easily.
2. Downsize
   • Downsizing is one of the best things you can do in order to save money during the moving process. Do you have a bunch of stuff that you don’t really use? You should probably get rid of them before moving to Delaware!
3. Get Moving Quotes
   • Whenever we’re looking into buying something that is more pricey, we usually do some research and try to find the best price. If you’re moving to Delaware, you should also do that. Try to contact as many movers in order to get different moving quotes. You can get free moving quotes on our website in under 5 minutes!
4. Book Movers
   • After you’ve done your research and found the best moving company to suit your needs, it’s time to book a mover and get ready to kick off your process of relocating to Delaware!
5. Visit Your New Area
   • If you’re still unsure whether moving to Delaware is ideal for you or not, one of the things you can do is visit the area where you’re thinking of moving and see if that’s where you really want to live.
6. Start Packing
   • Now that you’ve visited your new area and that you’ve booked a mover, it’s time to start packing your belongings into boxes. This process can take quite a while so don’t leave it until the last minute!
7. Create Essential Box
   • Once you get to your new home in Delaware, all of your belongings will be stored inside boxes, even the ones you’ll need to have access to as soon as you get to your new area — and that’s why you need to create an Essential Box with all your indispensable items!
8. Say Farewells
   • We know we don’t really need to remind you of saying farewells to your family and friends — but we still add this tip because some people forget to save some time to say their farewells!
9. Get Some Rest
   • When we have so many things going on in our lives, it’s kind of easy to forget that we need to rest a little. Don’t forget to take some time during the moving process to rest — we’re sure that you don’t want to be exhausted when you move to Delaware!
10. Enjoy the Move
    • And, finally, the last tip is pretty simple: enjoy the move! Regardless of any issues that may come up during the process of moving to Delaware, try to remain positive and remember that you’re doing this for your own good!

Moving Services to help you relocate to Delaware

• Are you moving to Delaware? There are at least 9 moving services that you must know about before you get your moving process started!
• Two moving company workers transporting boxes into a new home

Once you decide that you’ll move to a new area, one of the first things you’ll notice is that there are countless moving companies out there — and that all of them offer a bunch of different services. If you’re moving to Delaware, here are 9 moving services that will help you relocate!

• Furniture Transportation
  • Furniture is quite expensive, which is why sometimes it’s cheaper to move your current furniture to Delaware than buying new furniture. You can read more about moving furniture here.
• Residential Movers
  • Basically, there are two types of moving categories: residential moving and office/commercial moving. If you’re moving to a house in Delaware, this is the service you’ll need.
• Piano Transportation
  • Do you have a piano at home? Depending on the size of your piano, it can be quite expensive to move a piano to Delaware — still, it will be less expensive than buying a new piano.
• Art and Antiques Movers
  • Are you an art and antique collector? If so, you know just how fragile these items are. That’s why you need to hire a specialized moving company to move your art pieces and antiques to Delaware!
• Hot Tub Movers
  • A brand new entry-level hot tub will cost you at least $3,000, and that’s why lots of people prefer to bring their hot tub with them when moving. You can find more info on how to move a hot tub to Delaware here.
• Pool Table Movers
  • Bulky items such as pool tables require more attention and more care when they’re being transported. If you’re moving a pool table to the First State, make sure to hire specialized movers.
• Office Movers
  • As we’ve mentioned previously, there are two main types of moving: residential and commercial. If you’re moving an office to Delaware, you can find more info on commercial moving services on our website.
• Long Distance Movers
  • Are you moving to Delaware from across the country? If that’s the case, you need to find movers that work with long-distance moving, as not all companies offer this service.
• Last Minute Movers
  • If you want to move to Delaware immediately, and we mean immediately as in today or tomorrow, you’ll need to hire a company that works with last-minute moving. It’ll certainly be more pricey, but you’ll get to move to Delaware right away!