Things to know before moving from Pennsylvania to Wilmington, DE

Cost of living: Pennsylvania vs Wilmington, DE

Pennsylvania Wilmington
Average rent cost $1,110 $1,812
Average home value $268,824 $307,799
Average income (per capita) $73,170 $49,354
Unemployment rate 3% 10%
State income tax 3% 7%
  • Rent is about 63% more expensive in Wilmington than in Pennsylvania.
  • Home prices are about 14% higher in Wilmington than in Pennsylvania.
  • The average income is about 33% lower in Wilmington than in Pennsylvania.
  • Wilmington has a higher unemployment rate than Pennsylvania by about 203%.
  • Income taxes are 115% higher in Wilmington than in Pennsylvania.

How life is different in Wilmington from Pennsylvania

Wilmington Pennsylvania
Population 70,898 12,961,683
Political leaning Democratic 49.8-48.3 Republican 51-49
Summer high 86ºF 83ºF
Winter low 25ºF 19ºF
Annual rain 45" 44"
Annual snow 13" 38"
Crime index 67.32 17.62
  • The population of Wilmington is approximately 99% lower than the population of Pennsylvania.
  • In the last presidential election, Wilmington voted Democratic and Pennsylvania voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Wilmington is 86ºF and in Pennsylvania, it’s 83ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Wilmington reaches the temperature of 25ºF and Pennsylvania gets down to 19ºF.
  • You can expect about 45 inches of annual rainfall in Wilmington vs 44 inches of rainfall in Pennsylvania.
  • In Wilmington, it snows about 13 inches annually vs 38 inches of snow in Pennsylvania.
  • Wilmington has a higher crime rate than Pennsylvania with a crime index of 67.32 vs 17.62.

Things to do in Wilmington

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Wilmington.

Museums in Wilmingtontoggle

  • Nemours Estate
  • Hagley Museum And Library
  • Delaware Children's Museum
  • Delaware Art Museum
  • Rockwood Park & Museum
  • Kalmar Nyckel Foundation
  • Delaware History Museum
  • The Delaware Contemporary
  • Greenbank Mills & Philips Farm

Parks in Wilmingtontoggle

  • Bellevue State Park
  • Brandywine Park
  • Rockford Park & Tower
  • Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park
  • Cool Spring Park
  • One Love Park
  • Talley Day Park

Sports Teams in Wilmingtontoggle

  • Delaware Blue Coats (NBA G League)
  • Wilmington Blue Rocks (MiLB)
  • Delaware Black Foxes (USARL)
  • Bearfight FC of Wilmington (USASA)

Universities in Wilmingtontoggle

  • Delaware College of Art & Design
  • Delaware State University – Wilmington Campus
  • Delaware Technical & Community College – Wilmington Campus
  • Goldey-Beacom College
  • Springfield College – Wilmington Campus
  • University of Delaware – Wilmington Campus and Downtown Building
  • Wilmington University – Wilmington Campus
  • Widener University Delaware Law School

Other considerations when moving to Wilmington, DE

  • Weather: Wilmington has with hot and humid summers, cool to cold winters, and precipitation evenly spread throughout the year.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Delaware moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Delaware does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Delaware. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from Pennsylvania to Wilmington take?

The time frame for a move from Pennsylvania to Wilmington, DE, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Pennsylvania, the longer the drive time to Wilmington will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Wilmington from Pennsylvania can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Pennsylvania to Wilmington?

Because of the 206-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Pennsylvania to Wilmington as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Wilmington, DE?

With the summer highs of 86ºF and the winter lows of 25ºF, most people move to Wilmington from Pennsylvania during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Wilmington during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources