Moving to Delaware? 2023 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Delaware is a small state located on the East Coast of the United States. Known for its beautiful beaches and rich history, Delaware is often referred to as the “First State” as it was one of the first 13 states to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

If you are considering moving to Delaware, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick Delaware Facts:

1. Population: 1.003 million (2021)
2. Official Language: English
3. GDP Per Capita: $64,985 (2019)
4. Random Fact: Delaware is the United States’ second smallest state, with a land area of just 1,948 square miles
5. Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68 

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Delaware

From State	Approx. Moving Cost
California	$2600
Florida	$2200
New York	$1800
Texas	$2500
Illinois	$2000
Ohio	$1900
Georgia	$1800
North Carolina	$1700
Michigan	$2000
New Jersey	$1600

This table lists the state of origin along with the estimated moving cost in US dollars to Delaware. These costs are approximate and can vary based on several factors, including the specific locations within the states, the volume of goods being moved, and the timing of the move.

2. Delaware Housing Costs

The range of rental and house purchase prices in Delaware varies greatly depending on location. Generally, prices are higher in urban areas such as Wilmington and Newark, and lower in more rural areas like Sussex County.

Monthly Rental Prices in Delaware:

• 1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $1,400+
• 1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,200+
• 3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $2,700+
• 3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,800+

Delaware Home Purchase Prices:

• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $8,600+
• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $3,300+

Delaware Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Delaware compare with other cities around the globe.

• London is 41.1% more expensive
• New York is 59.4% more expensive
• Los Angeles is 44% more expensive
• Toronto is 17.8% more expensive
• Sydney is 28.8% more expensive
• Paris is 7% more expensive
• Dubai is 16.7% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

• Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: Kangaroom and Spare Room.
• Different Areas – Different Prices: Delaware is a small state with a mix of urban and suburban areas. Prices for rental and housing also vary depending on location, with urban areas like Wilmington generally being more expensive than suburban and rural areas. The cost of living in the state overall is considered to be moderate, with lower taxes and cost of living compared to neighbouring states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
  

3. Delaware Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Delaware is known for its fresh seafood, particularly crabs and oysters, as well as its farm-to-table cuisine. The state is also home to a growing craft beer scene, with several breweries and beer festivals throughout the year.

• Inexpensive Restaurant: $15.00
•  Takeout Coffee: $4.70
•  Bottle of Coke: $2.20
•  1L of Milk: $0.80
•  Loaf of Bread: $3.00
•  12 Eggs: $3.80
•  1kg Chicken: $12.10
•  1kg Beef: $17.50
•  1kg Apples: $4.70
•  1kg White Rice: $2.80

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

• London restaurants are 21.3% more expensive and groceries are 18.3% cheaper than Delaware.
• New York restaurants are 32.7% more expensive and groceries are 31.5% more expensive than Delaware.
• Los Angeles restaurants are 28.2% more expensive and groceries are 13.1% more expensive than Delaware
• Toronto restaurants are 10.8% more expensive and groceries are 0.8% more expensive than Delaware 
• Sydney restaurants are 10% more expensive and groceries are 13.2% more expensive than Delaware
• Paris restaurants are 5.6% more expensive and groceries are 11.7% more expensive than Delaware
• Dubai restaurants are 5.9% more expensive and groceries are 39.2% cheaper than Delaware

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

• Know Your Supermarkets: Delaware has a variety of farmers’ markets throughout the state, offering fresh local produce, meats, and artisanal products. The state also has a range of supermarkets, from affordable options like Walmart and Aldi to higher-end stores like Whole Foods and Wegmans.
• Find Cheap Eats: Delaware has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor and Yelp.

4. Delaware Alcohol Costs

Delaware, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

• Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $5.50
• Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $6.00
• Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $3.00
• Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $3.35
• Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $12.00

How To Drink For Less in Delaware:

• Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
• Take a look at Yelp and Visit Delaware for happy hour venues.

5. Delaware Transportation Fares

Delaware offers a range of public transport options, including bus services, rail services, and commuter services. The DART First State bus system provides public transportation throughout the state, while Amtrak rail service connects Wilmington with other major cities on the East Coast.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

• Adult single – $2.10
• One-day ticket – $5.00
• Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $62.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

• Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option. 
• Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in Delaware

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

• Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
• AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
• Verizon: $80 a month 

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

The average yearly temperature in Delaware is around 12-16°C (54-60°F), with the coldest month being January and the hottest month being July. The wettest month is typically August, with an average precipitation of around 4-5 inches.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

• Pair of Jeans: $55.00
• Summer Dress: $45.00
• Running Shoes (Trainers): $80.00
• Business Shoes: $100.00
• Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $100.00
• Deodorant: $4.50
• Shampoo: $4.00
• Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $3.50
• Gym Membership: $43.00
• Movie (cinema) Ticket: $12.00

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Delaware

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in Delaware. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to Delaware from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here. 

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Delaware:

• Volkswagen Golf: $26,500+
• 1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $0.90
  

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Delaware:

• Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpool World.
• Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in Delaware

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

Delaware has a state sales tax rate of 0%, meaning there is no sales tax collected on goods and services sold within the state. However, some local jurisdictions within Delaware may impose a sales tax.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in Fresno at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Delaware you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.  

10. Flight Costs from Delaware

If you do make the move to Delaware, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

• London: $360
• New York: $180
• Los Angeles: $245
• Toronto: $220
• Vancouver: $260
• Dubai: $1,010
• Sydney: $1,300
• Melbourne: $990
• Cape Town: $1,000
• Hong Kong: $1,500

Other Tips on Moving to Delaware:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Delaware but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Delaware Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in Delaware.

• Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
• Attend Local Events: Delaware always has something going on. Have a look at Eventbrite and Visit Delaware.

12. Moving to Delaware with a Family

Delaware is considered a family-friendly location with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and attractions such as beaches, parks, and museums. In terms of crime rate, it is lower than the national average, although it varies by city and neighbourhood.

• New Parents (or parents to be): There are free and paid antenatal classes and courses. Have a look at Delaware Center.
• Live in a Family-friendly Area: Some of the most family-friendly areas to live in Delaware, US include North Star, Pike Creek, Greenville, and Hockessin.
• Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in Delaware. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Trip Advisor.

13. Moving to Delaware for Work

While it is possible to move to Delaware without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. Delaware’s economy is dominated by the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, followed by finance and insurance, and healthcare. As of September 2021, the unemployment rate in Delaware is 4.9%.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

• Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale.
• How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Fresno, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Delaware from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in Delaware, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

• Size Comparison: The city of Toowoomba in Australia is similar in size to that of Delaware.
• Join Expat Groups: Start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to Delaware from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in Delaware. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

• Size: The city of Regina in Canada is similar to the size of Delaware.
• Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process.  Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to Delaware from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in Delaware. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

• Size: Delaware’s land area is roughly equivalent to the city of Liverpool in the UK.
• Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in Delaware, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Delaware you can start by comparing moving quotes here.