Movers

DC to Indiana Moving Guide

Updated June 8, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 603 mile interstate move from DC to Indiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs Indiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Half-smoke vs Pork Tenderloin Sandwich), real estate & housing (victorian and colonial vs craftsman and ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Half-smoke and Peruvian Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Pork Tenderloin Sandwich & Hoosier Pie
  • Indiana housing costs are 62% less expensive than they are in DC
  • Rent in Indiana is 43.76% more affordable than in DC
  • Moving from DC to Indiana will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended DC to Indiana movers is Bookstore Movers

DC to Indiana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Indiana

ConsDC iconDC
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic
  • Urban noise
  • Humidity
  • Limited space
ProsIndiana iconIndiana
  • Affordable housing
  • Ease of commute
  • Peaceful countryside
  • Milder summers
  • Spacious homes

Indiana iconIndiana
  • Less diverse
  • Limited transit options
  • Fewer openings
  • Fewer landmarks
  • Smaller museums
DC iconDC
  • Cultural diversity
  • Public transport
  • Job opportunities
  • Historic sites
  • World-class museums

Pros of moving from DC to Indiana

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Indiana with ease of commute
  • Swap the urban noise of DC for the peaceful countryside in Indiana
  • Get ready for milder summers in Indiana

Cons of moving from DC to Indiana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the cultural diversity in DC to live with less diversity in Indiana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of public transport and have to settle for the con of limited transit options
  • Time to bid farewell to job opportunities and get used to fewer openings in Indiana
  • Swap historic sites for fewer landmarks

DC vs. Indiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonDCIndiana
Most iconic local food itemHalf-smokePork Tenderloin Sandwich
Most popular meat dishPeruvian ChickenHoosier Pie
Most popular street food itemMumbo Sauce WingsCorn Dogs
Most popular vegan foodFalafelSeitan Sandwich
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Rose's Luxury
  • Zaytinya
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’Ŗ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie ScenešŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from DC to Indiana, you will be trading the iconic Half-smoke of DC for the equally delicious Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Peruvian Chicken and sumptuous Mumbo Sauce Wings, Indiana residents know they have tasty Hoosier Pie and Corn Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Falafel they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Sandwich of Indiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Rose's Luxury, and Zaytinya. After the boxes are unpacked in Indiana, don't wait too long before making your way to Indiana's acclaimed eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebeard, and Milktooth.

When comparing lifestyles, Indiana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than DC. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Indiana compared to what you are used to in DC. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Indiana.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and Indiana

ComparisonDCIndiana
Typical Architecture StyleVictorian and ColonialCraftsman and Ranch
WalkabilityšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestylešŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļø
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingProximity to metro, historic charmSpacious lots, family-friendly
  • The Victorian and Colonial architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Indiana.
  • Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to metro and historic charm, Indiana real estate listings often highlight features like spacious lots and family-friendly environments.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Indiana is less walkable than DC.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Indiana is less bike-friendly than DC.
  • Indiana has less of an urban feel than DC.
  • Indiana housing costs are 62% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $236,990 compared to DC’s $619,320.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Indiana have increased by 54% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
  • Rent in Indiana is 43.76% more affordable than in DC.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between DC and Indiana

ComparisonDCIndiana
Days of Sunshine per Yearā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļø
Avg. Annual HumidityšŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļø
Natural DisastersHurricanes, FloodsTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityModerateModerate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Average Summer High/Low (°F)87°F / 71°F85°F / 64°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)47°F / 28°F36°F / 20°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)39.74"42.20"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)15.4"22"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from DC to Indiana. Indiana gets 8% fewer sunshine days than DC.
  • Indiana has higher 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 tornadoes and floods in Indiana.
  • The average summer high temperature in Indiana is 2 degrees colder than in DC.
  • The average winter lows are 8 degrees colder than they are in DC.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Indiana. Indiana receives 2.5 more inches of rain compared to DC.

Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Indiana

ComparisonDCIndiana
Avg. Household Income$101,027$66,785
Cost of Living Index140.192.95
State Income Tax8.95%3.23%
Avg. Property Tax0.56%0.87%
Avg. Sales Tax5.75%7.00%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Tourism, FinanceManufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessAbove AverageBelow Average
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Indiana tend to earn about 34% less than in DC
  • The COLI in Indiana will be 34% lower than what you are used to living in DC
  • The state income tax in IN is 3.23% compared to 8.95% in DC
  • The affluence in Indiana is moderate compared to high in DC
  • The poverty level is moderate in Indiana compared to low in DC
  • In terms of homelessness, it is above average in DC and below average in Indiana

Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. Indiana

ComparisonDCIndiana
Political Make-upHeavily DemocraticModerately Republican
Local PoliticsLiberal PoliciesConservative Policies
ReligionMulticulturally Diverse Religious LandscapePredominantly Christian
  • DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
  • Indiana, on the other hand, is often described as moderately Republican
  • Indiana's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian
  • DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a multiculturally diverse religious landscape

Education Guide When Moving from DC to Indiana

ComparisonDCIndiana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maryland
Georgetown University
Howard University
Indiana University Bloomington
Purdue University
Ball State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMann Elementary School
Janney Elementary School
Eaton Elementary School
Signature School
West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School
Herron High School
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDeal Middle School
Hardy Middle School
Eliot-Hine Middle School
West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School
Herron High School
Fall Creek Junior High
Top 3 High School SchoolsWilson High School
School Without Walls High School
Banneker High School
Carmel High School
West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School
Signature School
Top 3 private high schoolsSidwell Friends School
Georgetown Day School
St. Albans School
Culver Academies
Park Tudor School
Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSidwell Friends School
Georgetown Day School
Maret School
International School of Indiana
Culver Academies
Park Tudor School
Top 3 School DistrictsDistrict of Columbia Public SchoolsCarmel Clay Schools
West Lafayette Community School Corporation
Zionsville Community Schools

How Much Do DC to Indiana Movers Cost?

Moving 603 miles from DC to Indiana will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,544300 ft3$5.15
1 Bedroom$2,294450 ft3$5.10
2 Bedrooms$3,786750 ft3$5.05
3 Bedrooms$5,4981100 ft3$5.00
4 Bedrooms$7,9161600 ft3$4.95
5+ Bedrooms$8,8161800 ft3$4.90

Top DC to Indiana Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best DC to Indiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for DC to Indiana

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Ap Pro Moving Llc featured image

Ap Pro Moving Llc

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details