Key factors that influence moving costs from Winston-Salem to Wilmingtontoggle

The cost of Winston-Salem movers will depend on:

  • Amount of belongings: Moving costs go up with more stuff. A move from Winston-Salem to Wilmington might cost just $1,248 for a one-bedroom, but up to $6,832 for a four-bedroom.
  • When you move: Summer is peak moving season in Winston-Salem, which means movers charge more during those months.
  • DIY or hire help: You can save by going the DIY route. Rental trucks cost between $431 and $1,084, though you\โ€™ll be doing the hard work vs letting the pros handle it.

What to know before moving from Winston-Salem to Wilmington

Moving from Winston-Salem to Wilmington comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Wilmington is generally more expensive than Winston-Salem, itโ€™s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Winston-Salem Wilmington
Average rent cost $1,300 $1,812
Average home value $248,806 $307,799
Average income (per capita) $62,431 $49,354
Cost of living (single person) $2,420 $3,533
Cost of living (family of 4) $5,265 $4,350
Unemployment rate 5.2% 10.3%
Sales tax 7.0% 0.0%
State income tax 4.5% 6.6%
  • Rent prices in Wilmington are 39% higher than in Winston-Salem, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Winston-Salem.
    Home prices in Wilmington are 23.7% higher than in Winston-Salem.
  • Income in Wilmington is 20.9% lower than in Winston-Salem, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Wilmington include Nestle, DuPont, and AstraZeneca.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Wilmington, since the cost of living for a single person in Wilmington is 46.0% higher than in Winston-Salem. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • The cost of living for a family in Wilmington is 17.4% lower than in Winston-Salem.
  • The unemployment rate in Wilmington is 98.08% higher than in Winston-Salem.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Wilmington, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Wilmington are 100.00% lower than in Winston-Salem.
  • State income taxes in Wilmington are 46.67% higher than in Winston-Salem.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,379.75 in Wilmington to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Winston-Salem.

How life is different in Winston-Salem vs. Wilmington

Wilmington Winston-Salem
Population 70,898 249,545
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 3
Walkability score 74 22
Bike friendliness score 52 29
Crime Index 67.32 32.67
Safety Index 32.68 67.33
Air Quality Good Good
  • Wilmington might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 72% less than Winston-Salem.
  • Wilmington offers better access to buses and trains than Winston-Salem, based on public transportation ratings. Wilmington has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 3 in Winston-Salem. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
  • Living in Wilmington means youโ€™ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Winston-Salem. Wilmington is considered more walkable than Winston-Salem, with a score of 74 out of 100 versus 22 out of 100 in Winston-Salem. A cityโ€™s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
  • If cycling is your thing, Wilmington is considered more bike-friendly than Winston-Salem in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Wilmington has a bike-friendliness score of 52 out of 100, while Winston-Salem is rated as 29 out of 100.
  • The crime rate in Wilmington is higher than in Winston-Salem, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 67.32 in Wilmington, it is 32.67 in Winston-Salem. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโ€™s crime levels.
  • You may want to exercise more caution as youโ€™re getting used to your new surroundings in Wilmington. With a crime index of 32.68, Wilmington ranks lower in overall safety than Winston-Salem, whose index is Winston-Salem's 67.33. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
  • The air quality in Wilmington and Winston-Salem is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Winston-Salem vs. Wilmington move

  • Weather: Wilmington has with hot and humid summers, cool to cold winters, and precipitation evenly spread throughout the year.
  • HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
  • Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
  • Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulationsโ€”some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
  • State licensing: Movers headquartered in Delaware that offer local and intrastate moving services donโ€™t need to be licensed. Still, they must comply with Delaware Department of Transportation (DDOT) regulations on insurance and commercial vehicle safety. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Delaware moving company\โ€™s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
  • Moving permits: You wonโ€™t need a moving permit in Delaware, though it\โ€™s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
  • Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toWilmington Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Wilmington

Now that youโ€™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, itโ€™s time to see what Wilmington is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife โ€” thereโ€™s plenty to check out:

  • Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Wilmington include museums and art centers like the Nemours Estate, Hagley Museum And Library, Delaware Children's Museum, Delaware Art Museum, and Rockwood Park & Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Bellevue State Park, Brandywine Park, Rockford Park & Tower, and Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park โ€” and more, offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
  • Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an Delaware Blue Coats (NBA G League), Wilmington Blue Rocks (MiLB), Delaware Black Foxes (USARL), or Bearfight FC of Wilmington (USASA) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Wilmington?

If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Winston-Salem to Wilmington. Youโ€™ll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Winston-Salem.

When is the cheapest time to move from Winston-Salem to Wilmington?

Because spring and fall moves from Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem to Wilmington take?

Covering 445 miles, the move from Winston-Salem, NC to Wilmington, DE typically takes one to four days. Some Winston-Salem movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inWilmington can help bridge the gap.

Helpful moving resources