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Moving from California to Delaware

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Tech, beaches, mountains, and the country's highest housing costs. vs. No sales tax, beach towns, corporate registration capital.

CA state flag
Living now

California

Capital: Sacramento

Median household income $91,905 · winter low 45°F · 258 sunny days

Tech, beaches, mountains, and the country's highest housing costs.

DE state flag
Moving to

Delaware

Capital: Dover

Median household income $79,325 · winter low 26°F · 205 sunny days

No sales tax, beach towns, corporate registration capital.

Delaware has an overall price level 99.8 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
California
110.7
Delaware
99.8
Delaware has 9.9% lower overall price level
Housing index
California
154.3
Delaware
102.0
Delaware has 34% lower housing costs
Groceries index
California
106.1
Delaware
96.2
Delaware has 9.4% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
California
101.6
Delaware
100.0
Delaware has 1.6% lower utilities
Electricity rate
California
35.3 ¢/kWh
Delaware
18.8 ¢/kWh
Delaware has 47% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
California
102.1
Delaware
100.0
Delaware has 2.1% lower transportation
Median home value
California
$759,500
Delaware
$371,600
Delaware is 51% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
California
$2,104/mo
Delaware
$1,530/mo
Delaware is 27% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · USGS (live) state-level

Summer high 86°F · Winter low 26°F · 205 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
California
84°F
Delaware
86°F
Delaware is 2.4% more summer highs
Avg winter low
California
45°F
Delaware
26°F
Delaware is 42% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
California
59°F
Delaware
56°F
Delaware is 5.8% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
California
258
Delaware
205
Delaware has 21% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
California
26 in
Delaware
46 in
Delaware is 80% more annual precipitation
Air quality (est. AQI)
California
56
Delaware
42
Delaware has 25% lower AQI
Earthquakes (M3+, past yr)
California
302
Delaware
0
Delaware has 100% lower felt earthquakes
Snow / year
California
16 in
Delaware
13 in
Delaware is 19% less annual snowfall

Get the full CaliforniaDelaware report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, and a 90-day move timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Delaware than California?

Delaware's overall price level is roughly 100.5 (US avg = 100), vs about 113 for California, based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

California tops out at 13.3% income tax. Delaware tops out at 6.6%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Delaware?

Most Delaware residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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