Washington DC, MD to Wilmington, DE Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Washington DC to Wilmington typically costs $1,200–$3,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 108 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Washington DC to Wilmington
Moving from Washington DC, MD to Wilmington, DE typically costs $1,200–$3,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 108-mile move from Washington DC to Wilmington, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $1,666 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- Allied Van Lines recently quoted $2,679 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- PODS recently quoted $696 for a 1 bedroom (large) using a moving container.
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 10, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Feb 06, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 05, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 28, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 21, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 15, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 04, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Dec 28, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 01, 2025
Studio apartment
Nov 25, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Washington DC to Wilmington
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $600, but larger homes can run up to $4,600.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Washington DC.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($100–$200) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Wilmington, DE to Washington DC, MD guide.
Best Washington DC to Wilmington movers by type
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Washington DC to Wilmington
For a stress-free interstate move from Washington DC to Wilmington, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best MD→DE movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 51 Maryland moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Washington DC to Wilmington
Many movers find Wilmington easier on the wallet than Washington DC - roughly 11% less for singles and 61% less for families.
Monthly basics average $3,533 for one person in Wilmington versus $3,963 in Washington DC. For a family of four, it's $4,350 compared with $11,093.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Washington DC | Wilmington | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,568 | $1,933 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $5,417 | $3,200 |
| Average home value | $594,337 | $307,799 |
| Average income (per capita) | $101,722 | $49,354 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,963 | $3,533 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $11,093 | $4,350 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 10.3% |
| Sales tax | 6.0% | 0.0% |
| State income tax | 5.75% | 6.6% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 25% lower in Wilmington than in Washington DC, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 48% lower in Wilmington than in Washington DC.
- It's important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 51% less in Wilmington than in Washington DC.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Wilmington, where the cost of living for a single person is 11% less than in Washington DC.
- Moving to Wilmington could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family's regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 61% less than in Washington DC.
- The unemployment rate in Wilmington is 47% higher compared to Washington DC, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Wilmington has no sales tax, so you’ll save money on every taxable purchase compared to Washington DC. This can be especially helpful if you make frequent or larger purchases.
- Income taxes are 15% higher in Delaware compared to Maryland. As a result, you might notice a larger bite taken out of your salary by the state's tax system, which could affect your net income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Washington DC with Wilmington:
| Living Expense | Washington DC | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $191.62 | $126.92 |
| Cell phone plan | $65.80 | $44.10 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.67 | $3.05 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.43 | $3.56 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $16.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $120.00 | $72.50 |
| Gym membership | $103.76 | $33.50 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Washington DC than in Wilmington.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Washington DC than in Wilmington.
- Eggs cost more in Washington DC than in Wilmington.
- Bread is more expensive in Washington DC than in Wilmington.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Washington DC than in Wilmington.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Washington DC than in Wilmington.
- Gym memberships cost more in Washington DC than in Wilmington.
How life is different in Washington DC vs. Wilmington
| Washington DC | Wilmington | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 672,079 | 70,898 |
| Transportation score | 9 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 77 | 74 |
| Bike friendliness score | 70 | 52 |
| Crime index | 60.37 | 67.32 |
| Safety index | 39.63 | 32.68 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Wilmington's population is about 89% less than Washington DC.
- Wilmington's public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is lower than Washington DC's score of 9.
- Wilmington and Washington DC are similarly walkable.
- Wilmington has a bike-friendliness score of 52 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Washington DC, which has a score of 70.
- Wilmington's crime rate is higher than Washington DC with a score of 67.32 compared to Washington DC's 60.37. This means that Wilmington neighborhoods are safer than 67.32% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Washington DC neighborhoods are safer than 60.37%.
- Wilmington is considered to be less safe than Washington DC with a score of 32.68 vs Washington DC's 39.63.
- Air quality in Wilmington is Good, and in Washington DC it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Washington DC to Wilmington move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: Movers headquartered in Delaware that offer local and intrastate moving services don’t need to be licensed. Still, they must comply with Delaware Department of Transportation (DDOT) regulations on insurance and commercial vehicle safety. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Delaware moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Delaware doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Wilmington smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Selecting Released Value Protection is a cost-effective choice, provided at no extra charge by movers, even though it offers limited coverage. Within this option, the mover's responsibility is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. If you're concerned about the value of your possessions and require more extensive coverage, consider discussing alternative options with the moving company you've chosen or explore third-party insurance providers. Ensure comprehensive protection for your belongings during the move by exploring these additional coverage choices.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Wilmington
Now that you've chosen Chemical Capital of the World as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Wilmington to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Trolley Square
- Happy Valley
- Midtown Brandywine
- Delaware Avenue
- Trinity Vicinity
Best neighborhoods for families
- Forty Acres
- Happy Valley
- Trolley Square
- Lower Highlands
- Wawaset Park/Wawaset Heghts
Things to do in Wilmington
After getting comfortable in your new Delaware home, it's time to see what Wilmington is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Wilmington offers cultural landmarks like the Nemours Estate, Hagley Museum And Library, Delaware Children's Museum, and Delaware Art Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Bellevue State Park, Brandywine Park, Rockford Park & Tower, and Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Delaware Blue Coats (NBA G League)Wilmington Blue Rocks (MiLB)Delaware Black Foxes (USARL)Bearfight FC of Wilmington (USASA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Washington DC to Wilmington?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Washington DC to Wilmington are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Washington DC are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Washington DC to Wilmington?
Because spring and fall moves from Washington DC to Wilmington are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Washington DC to Wilmington take?
A move of 108 miles from Washington DC, MD to Wilmington, DE generally takes one to two days. Movers in Washington DC sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Wilmington is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Washington DC?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 7 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 14 extend savings to senior citizens.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in Washington DC offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 59 movers in Washington DC have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 44 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across MD, there are 37 piano movers and 30 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
