Movers

DC to New Hampshire Moving Guide

Updated June 18, 2025

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Planning a 488 mile interstate move from DC to New Hampshire? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs New Hampshire across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Half-Smoke vs Apple Cider Donuts), real estate & housing (victorian, row houses vs colonial, rural cottages), 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 Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Apple Cider Donuts & Boiled Dinner
  • New Hampshire housing costs are 25% less expensive than they are in DC
  • Rent in New Hampshire is 18% more affordable than in DC
  • Moving from DC to New Hampshire will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
  • Our top recommended DC to New Hampshire movers is Bookstore Movers

DC to New Hampshire Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to New Hampshire

ConsDC iconDC
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic
  • Urban noise
  • Limited outdoor access
  • Political bustle
ProsNew Hampshire iconNew Hampshire
  • Lower cost of living
  • Less congestion
  • Quieter surroundings
  • Abundant nature trails
  • Peaceful communities

New Hampshire iconNew Hampshire
  • Less diverse
  • Limited transit options
  • Quieter evenings
  • Fewer cultural venues
  • Less historical richness
DC iconDC
  • Cultural diversity
  • Public transport
  • Vibrant nightlife
  • Access to museums
  • Historical landmarks

Pros of moving from DC to New Hampshire

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to New Hampshire with less congestion
  • Swap the urban noise of DC for quieter surroundings in New Hampshire
  • Get ready for abundant nature trails in New Hampshire

Cons of moving from DC to New Hampshire

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the cultural diversity in DC to live with less diversity in New Hampshire
  • 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 vibrant nightlife and get used to quieter evenings in New Hampshire
  • Swap access to museums for fewer cultural venues

DC vs. New Hampshire: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonDCNew Hampshire
Most iconic local food itemHalf-SmokeApple Cider Donuts
Most popular meat dishMumbo Sauce ChickenBoiled Dinner
Most popular street food itemFood Truck TacosFried Clams
Most popular vegan foodVegetable CurryMaple Quinoa Bowl
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
    • Ben's Chili Bowl
    • Zaytinya
    • Founding Farmers
    • Moxy
    • Common Man
    • Surf Restaurant
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from DC to New Hampshire, you will be trading the iconic Half-Smoke of DC for the equally delicious Apple Cider Donuts of New Hampshire. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo Sauce Chicken and sumptuous Food Truck Tacos, New Hampshire residents know they have tasty Boiled Dinner and Fried Clams to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Curry they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Maple Quinoa Bowl of New Hampshire. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Founding Farmers. After the boxes are unpacked in New Hampshire, don't wait too long before making your way to New Hampshire's acclaimed eateries like Moxy, Common Man, and Surf Restaurant.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and New Hampshire

ComparisonDCNew Hampshire
Typical Architecture StyleVictorian, Row housesColonial, Rural cottages
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingProximity to metro, Historic charmScenic views, Spacious yards
  • The Victorian and Row houses architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Rural cottages architecture typical of New Hampshire.
  • Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to metro and historic charm, New Hampshire real estate listings often highlight features like scenic views and spacious yards.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; New Hampshire is less walkable than DC.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; New Hampshire is less bike-friendly than DC.
  • New Hampshire has less of an urban feel than DC.
  • New Hampshire housing costs are 25% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $465,926 compared to DC’s $619,320.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Hampshire have increased by 68% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
  • Rent in New Hampshire is 18% more affordable than in DC.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between DC and New Hampshire

ComparisonDCNew Hampshire
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHurricanes, FloodsSnowstorms, Floods
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F / 71Β°F80Β°F / 56Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47Β°F / 29Β°F34Β°F / 17Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)40.77"43.40"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)15.4"60.52"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from DC to New Hampshire. New Hampshire gets 3% fewer sunshine days than DC.
  • New Hampshire 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 snowstorms and floods in New Hampshire.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in New Hampshire is 7 degrees colder than in DC.
  • The average winter lows are 12 degrees colder than they are in DC.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in New Hampshire. New Hampshire receives 2.6 more inches of rain compared to DC.

Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and New Hampshire

ComparisonDCNew Hampshire
Avg. Household Income$101,027$89,992
Cost of Living Index140.1116.8
State Income Tax6%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.55%2.05%
Avg. Sales Tax6%0%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Education, Professional ServicesHealthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessSignificantMinimal
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Hampshire tend to earn about 11% less than in DC
  • The COLI in New Hampshire will be 17% lower than what you are used to living in DC
  • Hooray, moving to NH means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in New Hampshire is moderate compared to high in DC
  • The poverty level is low in New Hampshire compared to moderate in DC
  • In terms of homelessness, it is significant in DC and minimal in New Hampshire

Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. New Hampshire

ComparisonDCNew Hampshire
Political Make-upHeavily DemocraticSwing State, leans Democratic
Local PoliticsFocus on federal and local governance issuesLocal governance with a strong emphasis on individual freedom
ReligionDiverse religious landscapeLess religiously diverse, Christian majority
  • DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
  • New Hampshire, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state that leans Democratic
  • New Hampshire's religious environment can be described as less religiously diverse with a Christian majority
  • DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a diverse religious landscape

Education Guide When Moving from DC to New Hampshire

ComparisonDCNew Hampshire
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Georgetown University
George Washington University
American University
Dartmouth College
University of New Hampshire
Saint Anselm College
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsJanney Elementary
Mann Elementary
Eaton Elementary
Little Harbour School
Matthew Thornton Elementary
Main Dunstable Elementary
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDeal Middle School
Hardy Middle School
McKinley Middle School
Rye Junior High
Hampton Academy
Amherst Middle School
Top 3 High School SchoolsSchool Without Walls High School
Banneker High School
Wilson High School
Phillips Exeter Academy
St. Paul's School
Hanover High School
Top 3 private high schoolsSidwell Friends School
St. Albans School
Georgetown Day School
Phillips Exeter Academy
St. Paul's School
Holderness School
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsMaret School
Sidwell Friends School
Georgetown Day School
Phillips Exeter Academy
St. Paul's School
Kimball Union Academy
Top 3 School DistrictsDC Public SchoolsExeter Region Cooperative
Windham School District
Bedford School District

How Much Do DC to New Hampshire Movers Cost?

Moving 488 miles from DC to New Hampshire will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,257300 ft3$4.19
1 Bedroom$1,867450 ft3$4.15
2 Bedrooms$3,079750 ft3$4.11
3 Bedrooms$4,4701100 ft3$4.06
4 Bedrooms$6,4331600 ft3$4.02
5+ Bedrooms$7,1611800 ft3$3.98

Top DC to New Hampshire Movers

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

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for DC to New Hampshire

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
Top DC to New Hampshire Routes

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