California vs Delaware

Delaware is cheaper overall, while $100 goes further in Delaware, California has higher incomes, Delaware has lower state income tax, and California gets more sunshine.

California flag
California
CA · West
13 / 33
metrics won
VS
Delaware flag
Delaware
DE · South
20 / 33
metrics won
Winner
DE wins Housing DE wins Quality of Life CA wins Climate CA wins Demographics DE wins Taxes CA wins Geography
Continue with the moving guides: Living in California Living in Delaware All 50 states State Match
CA 13
20 DE

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Your match

Delaware fits you better

Delaware wins 20 of 33 scored metrics against California.

Run the numbers

What's your salary really worth?

California

After state tax
—
Housing / month
—
Left after housing
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Cost-adjusted remainder
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Delaware

After state tax
—
Housing / month
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Left after housing
—
Cost-adjusted remainder
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Illustrative estimate only. Uses top marginal state income tax rate, BEA Regional Price Parity, and median housing costs — excludes federal tax, utilities, insurance, childcare, and debt.

Full comparison

Every metric, side by side

Pick a category. Each row opens the full breakdown for that metric — national rank, chart, and sourcing.

Capital City
Sacramento vs Dover
State Color
Solid Blue vs Solid Blue
Population
39,345,844
1,069,781
Median Income
$84,097
$79,325
Cost of Living
138.5
103.2
Median Housing Value
$693,700
$296,700
Property Tax
0.70%
0.50%
State Income Tax
13.30%
6.60%
Minimum Wage
$16.50/hr
$13.25/hr
Gas Price
$5.929/gal
$3.914/gal
Electricity Rates
30.29 c/kWh
16.51 c/kWh
Livability Score
50.49
50.03
Average Temperature
59.4°F
55.3°F
Sunny Days
146 days
97 days
Land Area
163,696 sq mi
2,489 sq mi
Population Density
240.4 per sq mi
429.8 per sq mi
Statehood
September 9, 1850 (#31)
December 7, 1787 (#1)

Tradeoffs

Pros and cons for each state

The biggest advantages and drawbacks pulled from affordability, housing, income, taxes, safety, health, education, jobs, and weather.

California flag

California

Pros

  • California shows higher median income.
  • California health access/outcomes proxy is higher.
  • California health coverage access proxy is stronger.
  • California education proxy is higher.
  • California has more sunny days.

Cons

  • California has a higher overall cost of living.
  • California has a higher housing cost index.
  • California has higher median home values.
  • California has higher property tax rates on average.
  • California has a higher violent crime rate.
  • California job growth trend is weaker.
Delaware flag

Delaware

Pros

  • Delaware has a lower overall cost of living.
  • Delaware has a lower housing cost index.
  • Delaware has lower median home values.
  • Delaware has lower property tax rates on average.
  • Delaware has a lower violent crime rate.
  • Delaware job growth trend is stronger.

Cons

  • Delaware shows lower median income.
  • Delaware health access/outcomes proxy is lower.
  • Delaware health coverage access proxy is weaker.
  • Delaware education proxy is lower.
  • Delaware has fewer sunny days.

People also ask

California vs Delaware — common questions

QIs California cheaper to live in than Delaware?

Delaware has the lower cost of living. On the national index (100 = average), Delaware scores 103.2 versus 138.5 for California - a gap of 35.3 points.

QWhere does $100 go further - California or Delaware?

$100 goes further in Delaware. After BEA regional price adjustments, $100 is worth about $103.24 in Delaware, compared with $92.31 in California.

QWhich state is bigger - California or Delaware?

California is larger, covering 163,696 sq mi compared with 2,489 sq mi for Delaware - roughly 65.8x the size.

QDoes California or Delaware have more people?

California has the larger population at 39,345,844, compared with 1,069,781 in Delaware.

QWhich state has higher household income - California or Delaware?

California has the higher median household income at $84,097, versus $79,325 in Delaware.

QWhich state has lower income taxes - California or Delaware?

Delaware has the lower state income tax top rate at 6.60%, compared with 13.30% in California.

QIs housing cheaper in California or Delaware?

Homes are cheaper in Delaware, where the median home value is $296,700, versus $693,700 in California.

QWhich state is more densely populated - California or Delaware?

Delaware is more densely populated at 429.8 per sq mi people per sq mi. California is more spread out at 240.4 per sq mi people per sq mi.

Related comparisons

Alaska flag Alaska vs Delaware Arizona flag Arizona vs Delaware Alabama flag Alabama vs California Arkansas flag Arkansas vs California

Methodology

Figures combine government datasets, named research sources, and clearly labeled derived scores. Dataset reviewed July 23, 2026.

Demographics & geography
2020 Census, American Community Survey, TIGER/Line Files, National Archives
Income, housing & cost of living
American Community Survey, BLS, BEA Regional Price Parities, and named market studies
Wages & energy
U.S. Department of Labor, AAA, U.S. EIA
Politics & law
NCSL, Giffords Law Center, NABCA

Data periods differ by metric. Open any individual comparison metric to see its primary source, data period, review date, and calculation note. Daily-changing fields such as gas prices are stored snapshots unless the page explicitly says a live feed is used.

See our editorial policy for how we review and update these pages.