So, you’re curious about living in Delaware? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The expert movers, travelers, and worldwide locals that make up the team at Relocalate.com are here to help.
We’ve compiled the ultimate guides to answer the most common questions people just like you have about living in the great state of Delaware.
Dive deep into the topics you’re interested in to make sure your new home in Delaware matches what you’re looking for.
We’ll explore whether Delaware is a good place for YOU to live, and we’ll highlight some of the best cities for you to visit, explore, and ultimately call home.
Pros and Cons of Living in Delaware
You’ve heard it before, and it’s true: no place is perfect. What matters is how good of a fit it is for you.
Relocalate.com is here to help you decide whether Delaware is the best place for YOU to live.
Read More: Is Delaware a Good Place to Live?
Best Place to Live in Delaware
So, you’ve got your heart set on living in Delaware? Well, the decision making doesn’t end there. You’ve still got to decide where to live in Delaware!
In some other articles, we’ll dive deeper into some of the best places to live in Delaware.
Our experts have considered a whole bunch of different criteria to select the top locations, including:
- The best places to live for families, retirees, singles, young adults, outdoor lovers, foodies, and more.
- The safest places to live.
- The cheapest places to live.
- The best schools.
- The best job markets.
- The best housing markets.
- And so much more.
Just want a quick list? No worries, here are some of the best cities to live in Delaware:
- Middletown
- Pike Creek
Read More: Best Places to Live in Delaware
Checklist for Moving to Delaware
So now you’re preparing for your big move to Delaware. Maybe you’ve even started packing!
As you probably already know, there are a lot of things to take care of when you’re moving. Both in your current state and once you get to Delaware.
Here are some of the major things you’ll want to take care of when you move to Delaware:
- Updating your address with USPS.
- Getting your Delaware driver’s license.
- Transferring your vehicle titles and registrations to Delaware
- Getting Delaware car insurance.
- Signing up for health insurance in Delaware and finding new doctors, dentists, and local hospitals.
- Updating/changing other insurance policies you may need (homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, pet insurance, motorcycle insurance, etc.)
- Registering to vote in your district in Delaware.
- Updating your address with your banks, credit cards, subscription services, loans, investments, phone plans, and bill pay.
- Enrolling your kids in their new school district.
- Licensing your pets and finding a new vet.
- Setting up your utilities for your new home.
- Preparing to file state taxes for Delaware and your previous home state.
Visit your Delaware Moving Checklist for a detailed guide on all of the above.
Read More: Moving to Delaware Checklist
While we’re at it, let’s cover some high-level questions and fun facts about Delaware.
Things to Know About Living in Delaware
As you’re preparing for your move or getting settled into your new home in Delaware, here are some things to know about living there.
Cost of Living in Delaware
One thing to consider when moving to a new state is the relative cost of living.
Delaware ranks 34th on the Cost of Living Index with an overall rating of 105.3, meaning it’s a slightly above average cost place to live.
Here is how Delaware scores for the cost of living in each specific category:
- Groceries: 109.5
- Housing: 93.3
- Utilities: 104.3
- Transportation: 111
- Health: 92.9
- Miscellaneous: 113.7
The average cost of living in this index is scored at 100. The numbers above represent the percentage of the average. A number higher than 100 represents an above average cost of living, while a number lower than 100 represents a lower cost of living. A lower rank indicates a lower cost of living.
This data comes from the Cost of Living Index prepared by the Council for Economic Research (C2ER), which compiles data from cities across the country to rank and compare the differences in costs of living.
Sales Tax Rates in Delaware
Sales tax is a way that state and local governments collect tax revenue from its residents and visitors.
These taxes are applied when you purchase something. It’ll show up on your receipt or bill. If you’ve recently moved to Delaware from somewhere else, the new sales tax rates may surprise you.
In Delaware, there is no state sales tax.
Check with the Delaware tax office for the most current tax rates.
Real-Estate Property Tax Rates in Delaware
If you own or plan to own real estate in Delaware, you’ll want to think about the property tax rates when you move there.
Delaware ranks 6th (from low to high) for its state property tax rate of .57%.
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There may be additional property taxes on top of the rate stated here depending on your county, city, and school districts.
Check with the Delaware tax office for the most current tax rates.
Delaware’s Job Market & Economy
Another thing to think about when moving to Delaware is the job market and economic indicators.
Overall, Delaware ranks 42nd for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the United States.
The GDP measures the overall monetary value of all goods and services produced within a certain place over a period of time.
Its top 10 industries (ranked from largest to smallest by economic contribution to the state) are:
- Finance and insurance
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Professional and business services
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Retail trade
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services
- Wholesale trade
- Transportation and warehousing
The top employer in Delaware is Christiana Care Health System.
Notable Destinations and Landmarks in Delaware
Our Delaware moving guide wouldn’t be complete without a brief mention of some of the most iconic destinations in the state.
When you get settled in, a road trip may just be in order.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Delaware is Kalmar Nyckel.
Facts about Delaware
Delaware is the 1st state of the United States that lies in the southern region. To its north is Pennsylvania and New Jersey, to its south and west is Maryland, and to its east is the Atlantic Ocean.
What is the capital of Delaware?
The capital of Delaware is Dover.
Dover is located in Kent County with a population of 36,047.
What is the population of Delaware?
The population of Delaware based on 2020 US Census data is 989,948.
What is the largest city in Delaware?
The largest city in Delaware is Wilmington.
Wilmington has a population of 70,635, and it is located in New Castle County.
What is the size of Delaware?
Delaware is 2,489 square miles, making it the 49th largest state in the U.S.
What is the state motto of Delaware?
The state motto of Delaware is: Liberty and independence
What is the state bird of Delaware?
The state bird of Delaware is the Delaware Blue Hen.
What is the state flower of Delaware?
The state flower of Delaware is the Peach blossom.
What is the state tree of Delaware?
The state tree of Delaware is the American Holly.
What is the minimum wage in the state of Delaware?
The minimum wage in Delaware is $9.25 per hour.
What is the median income in Delaware?
The median annual household salary in Delaware is $64,805.