DC to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 2,379 mile interstate move from DC to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high living costs vs lower living expenses), food & health (like Half-smoke vs Idaho potatoes), real estate & housing (victorian, colonial revival vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Half-smoke and Mumbo sauce wings, but get your taste buds ready for Idaho potatoes & Elk steak
- Idaho housing costs are 27% less expensive than they are in DC
- Rent in Idaho is 32.68% more affordable than in DC
- Moving from DC to Idaho will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended DC to Idaho movers is Bookstore Movers
DC to Idaho Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Idaho
- High living costs
- Heavy traffic
- Urban noise
- Humid summers
- Limited nature access
- Lower living expenses
- Less congestion
- Quieter surroundings
- Moderate climate
- Vast outdoor activities
- Fewer museums
- Fewer dining options
- Limited transit systems
- Fewer historical sites
- Job market variety
- Cultural attractions
- Diverse cuisine
- Public transportation
- Historical landmarks
- Professional opportunities
Pros of moving from DC to Idaho
- Say goodbye to high living costs and hello to lower living expenses
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Idaho with less congestion
- Swap the urban noise of DC for quieter surroundings in Idaho
- Get ready for a moderate climate in Idaho
Cons of moving from DC to Idaho
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural attractions in DC to live with fewer museums in Idaho
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse cuisine and have to settle for the con of fewer dining options
- Time to bid farewell to public transportation and get used to limited transit systems in Idaho
- Swap historical landmarks for fewer historical sites
DC vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | DC | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Half-smoke | Idaho potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Mumbo sauce wings | Elk steak |
Most popular street food item | Food truck tacos | Finger steaks |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa salad | Lentil chili |
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 DC to Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Half-smoke of DC for the equally delicious Idaho potatoes. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo sauce wings and sumptuous food truck tacos, Idaho residents know they have tasty elk steak and finger steaks to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the quinoa salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the lentil chili of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Benes, Rose's Luxury, and Busboys and Poets. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Boise Fry Company, The Basque Market, and Coeur dβAlene Resort.
When comparing lifestyles, Idaho shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than DC. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Idaho compared to what you are used to in DC. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Idaho.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and Idaho
Comparison | DC | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Victorian, Colonial Revival | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to Metro, Historic details | Mountain views, Large lots |
- The Victorian and Colonial Revival architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Idaho.
- Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to metro and historic details, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and large lots.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Idaho is less walkable than DC.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Idaho is less bike-friendly than DC.
- Idaho has less of an urban feel than DC.
- Idaho housing costs are 27% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to DCβs $619,320.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased by 69% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
- Rent in Idaho is 32.68% more affordable than in DC.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between DC and Idaho
Comparison | DC | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Floods | Wildfires, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 71Β°F | 85Β°F / 50Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β°F / 29Β°F | 34Β°F / 15Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 40 | 18 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 15.5 | 60 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from DC to Idaho. Idaho gets 1% more sunshine days than DC.
- Idaho has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to DC.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in DC, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
- The average summer high temperature in Idaho is 3 degrees cooler than in DC.
- The average winter lows are 14 degrees colder than they are in DC.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 22 fewer inches of rain compared to DC.
Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Idaho
Comparison | DC | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $101,027 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 140.1 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 10.75% | 6.92% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.56% | 0.69% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 6.03% |
Top 3 Industries | Federal Government, Education, Health | Agriculture, Technology, Education |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Significant | Minimal |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 28% less than in DC
- The COLI in Idaho is 35% lower than what you are used to living in DC
- The state income tax in ID is 6.92% compared to 10.75% in DC
- The affluence in Idaho is moderate compared to high in DC
- The poverty level is low in Idaho compared to moderate in DC
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in DC and minimal in Idaho
Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. Idaho
Comparison | DC | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Heavily Democratic | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive urban policies | Conservative rural and urban policies |
Religion | Pluralistic, with no single dominant faith | Largely Christian, with a significant Mormon community |
- DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
- Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- Idaho's religious environment can be described as largely Christian with a significant Mormon community
- DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as pluralistic with no single dominant faith
Education Guide When Moving from DC to Idaho
Comparison | DC | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | George Washington University Georgetown University American University | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mann Elementary Janney Elementary Eaton Elementary | Longfellow Elementary (Boise) Washington Elementary (Boise) Roosevelt Elementary (Boise) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Deal Middle School Hardy Middle School McKinley Middle School | North Junior High (Boise) Fairmont Junior High (Boise) Les Bois Junior High (Boise) |
Top 3 High Schools | Wilson High School School Without Walls High School Banneker High School | Boise High School Renaissance High School (Meridian) Eagle High School (Eagle) |
Top 3 private high schools | Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Preparatory School National Cathedral School | Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) Riverstone International School (Boise) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Georgetown Day School Maret School Sidwell Friends School | Riverstone International School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) |
Top 3 School Districts | DC Public Schools | Boise School District Meridian School District Coeur d'Alene School District |
How Much Do DC to Idaho Movers Cost?
Moving 2,379 miles from DC to Idaho will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,551 | 300 ft3 | $8.50 |
1 Bedroom | $3,804 | 450 ft3 | $8.45 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,303 | 750 ft3 | $8.40 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,189 | 1100 ft3 | $8.35 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,286 | 1600 ft3 | $8.30 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,857 | 1800 ft3 | $8.25 |
Top DC to Idaho Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best DC to Idaho movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.