Arizona to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 2,183 mile interstate move from Arizona to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme summer heat vs mild summer climate), food & health (like Navajo Taco vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (spanish colonial, ranch vs victorian, federal), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Navajo Taco and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce Wings
- DC housing costs are 44% more expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in DC is 25.38% more expensive than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to DC will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Arizona to DC movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to DC
- Extreme summer heat
- Limited public transit
- Fewer cultural events
- Low walkability
- Desert environment
- Mild summer climate
- Extensive metro system
- Rich cultural scene
- Highly walkable
- Lush greenery
- High living cost
- Dense population
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Variable weather
- Limited local cuisines
- Low living cost
- Open space
- Laid-back lifestyle
- Sunny weather
- Southwest cuisine
Pros of moving from Arizona to DC
- Say goodbye to extreme summer heat and hello to a mild summer climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to DC with an extensive metro system
- Swap the fewer cultural events of Arizona for a rich cultural scene in DC
- Get ready for a highly walkable environment in DC
Cons of moving from Arizona to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low living cost in Arizona to live with a high living cost in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of open space and have to settle for the con of a dense population
- Time to bid farewell to a laid-back lifestyle and get used to a fast-paced lifestyle in DC
- Swap sunny weather for variable weather
Arizona vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Navajo Taco | Half-Smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Mumbo Sauce Wings |
Most popular street food item | Sonoran Hot Dog | Jumbo Slice Pizza |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Tacos | Vegan Soul Food |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Arizona to DC, you will be trading the iconic Navajo Taco of Arizona for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Sonoran Hot Dog, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce Wings and Jumbo Slice Pizza to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Soul Food of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arizona eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and Welcome Diner. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Rose's Luxury, and Zaytinya.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC, compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and DC
Comparison | Arizona | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Colonial, Ranch | Victorian, Federal |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Pool, garage | Proximity to metro, historic details |
- The Spanish Colonial and Ranch architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Federal architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference pools and garages, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to the metro and historic details.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than Arizona.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than Arizona.
- DC has more of an urban feel than Arizona.
- DC housing costs are 44% more expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased 8% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in DC is 25.38% more expensive than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and DC
Comparison | Arizona | DC |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Heatwaves | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Variable | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 106Β°F/83Β°F | 88Β°F/71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 67Β°F/46Β°F | 47Β°F/30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13 | 40 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.3 | 15.4 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to DC. DC gets 29% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- DC has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and heatwaves in Arizona, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in DC.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 18 degrees colder than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 16 degrees colder than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in DC. DC receives 27 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and DC
Comparison | Arizona | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 2.59% - 4.50% | 4.00% - 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.65% | 0.56% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.40% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Mining, Tourism | Government, Education, Professional Services |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Notable | Less Pronounced |
Homelessness | Rising | Significant |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 35% more than in Arizona
- The COLI in DC will be 38% higher than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in DC is 4.00% to 10.75% compared to 2.59% to 4.50% in AZ
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate in Arizona
- The poverty level is less pronounced in DC compared to notable in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is rising in Arizona and significant in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. DC
Comparison | Arizona | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately conservative, swing state | Strongly liberal |
Local Politics | Mix of both major parties | Primarily Democratic |
Religion | Christian majority with a diverse spiritual landscape | Christian majority, particularly Protestant, with notable non-religious and Jewish communities |
- Arizona tends to lean moderately conservative for its political climate
- DC, on the other hand, is often described as strongly liberal
- DC's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority, particularly Protestant, with notable non-religious and Jewish communities
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a diverse spiritual landscape
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to DC
Comparison | Arizona | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Basis Scottsdale Basis Oro Valley Basis Peoria | Janney Elementary Mann Elementary Eaton Elementary |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Basis Chandler Basis Tucson North Basis Peoria | Deal Middle School Hardy Middle School Stokes School |
Top 3 High Schools | Basis Scottsdale Basis Chandler Basis Oro Valley | School Without Walls Banneker High School Wilson High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory Phoenix Country Day School The Gregory School | Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Day School St. Albans School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Gregory School Rancho Solano Preparatory School Phoenix Country Day School | Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Day School Maret School |
Top 3 School Districts | Scottsdale Unified School District Catalina Foothills School District Chandler Unified School District | DC Public Schools |
How Much Do Arizona to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 2,183 miles from Arizona to DC will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sterling Interstate LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,440 | 300 ft3 | $8.13 |
1 Bedroom | $3,638 | 450 ft3 | $8.08 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,025 | 750 ft3 | $8.03 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,782 | 1100 ft3 | $7.98 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,694 | 1600 ft3 | $7.93 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,191 | 1800 ft3 | $7.88 |
Top Arizona to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.