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Moving from Delaware to Washington

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. No sales tax, beach towns, corporate registration capital. vs. Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

DE state flag
Living now

Delaware

Capital: Dover

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

No sales tax, beach towns, corporate registration capital.

WA state flag
Moving to

Washington

Capital: Olympia

Median household income $90,325 · winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days

Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

Washington has an overall price level 107.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Delaware
99.8
Washington
107.0
Washington has 7.2% higher overall price level
Housing index
Delaware
102.0
Washington
126.0
Washington has 23% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Delaware
100.0
Washington
101.8
Washington has 1.8% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Delaware
100.0
Washington
101.1
Washington has 1.1% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Delaware
17.6 ¢/kWh
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
Washington has 18% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Delaware
100.0
Washington
101.4
Washington has 1.4% higher transportation
Median home value
Delaware
$371,600
Washington
$602,200
Washington is 62% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Delaware
$1,153/mo
Washington
$1,641/mo
Washington is 42% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 79°F · Winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Delaware
86°F
Washington
79°F
Washington is 8.1% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Delaware
26°F
Washington
35°F
Washington is 35% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Delaware
56°F
Washington
50°F
Washington is 10% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Delaware
205
Washington
152
Washington has 26% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Delaware
46 in
Washington
40 in
Washington is 13% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Delaware
42
Washington
39
Washington has 7.1% lower AQI
Snow / year
Delaware
13 in
Washington
29 in
Washington is 123% more annual snowfall

Get the full DelawareWashington report

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

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Washington than Delaware?

Washington's overall price level is roughly 105.8 (US avg = 100), vs about 100.5 for Delaware — 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?

Delaware tops out at 6.6% income tax. Washington tops out at 0%.

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

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

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