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Moving from Washington to Delaware

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

WA state flag
Living now

Washington

Capital: Olympia

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

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

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
Washington
107.0
Delaware
99.8
Delaware has 6.7% lower overall price level
Housing index
Washington
126.0
Delaware
102.0
Delaware has 19% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Washington
101.8
Delaware
100.0
Delaware has 1.8% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Washington
101.1
Delaware
100.0
Delaware has 1.1% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
Delaware
17.6 ¢/kWh
Delaware has 23% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Washington
101.4
Delaware
100.0
Delaware has 1.4% lower transportation
Median home value
Washington
$602,200
Delaware
$371,600
Delaware is 38% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Washington
$1,641/mo
Delaware
$1,153/mo
Delaware is 30% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (live) state-level

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

Avg summer high
Washington
79°F
Delaware
86°F
Delaware is 8.9% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Washington
35°F
Delaware
26°F
Delaware is 26% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Washington
50°F
Delaware
56°F
Delaware is 12% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Washington
152
Delaware
205
Delaware has 35% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Washington
40 in
Delaware
46 in
Delaware is 15% more annual precipitation
Air quality (est. AQI)
Washington
39
Delaware
42
Delaware has 7.7% higher AQI
Snow / year
Washington
29 in
Delaware
13 in
Delaware is 55% less annual snowfall

Get the full WashingtonDelaware 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 Delaware than Washington?

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

Washington tops out at 0% 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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