Movers

DC to New York Moving Guide

Updated June 8, 2025

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Planning a 432 mile interstate move from DC to New York? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs New York across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher cost of living vs vibrant cultural scene), food & health (like Half-Smoke vs Bagels), real estate & housing (federal and victorian vs art deco and modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Half-Smoke and Mumbo Sauce Wings, but get your taste buds ready for Bagels & Pastrami on Rye
  • New York housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in DC
  • Rent in New York is 4.13% more expensive than in DC
  • Moving from DC to New York will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,500
  • Our top recommended DC to New York movers is JP Urban Moving

DC to New York Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to New York

ConsDC iconDC
  • Higher cost of living
  • Heavy traffic
  • Sweltering summers
  • Limited job diversity
ProsNew York iconNew York
  • Vibrant cultural scene
  • Excellent public transport
  • Four distinct seasons
  • Career opportunities

New York iconNew York
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Concrete jungle feel
  • Busier subway system
  • Higher noise levels
DC iconDC
  • Historical landmarks
  • Green parks like Rock Creek
  • Less crowded metro
  • Diverse diplomatic presence

Pros of moving from DC to New York

  • Say goodbye to the higher cost of living and hello to the vibrant cultural scene
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to New York with excellent public transport
  • Swap the sweltering summers of DC for four distinct seasons in New York
  • Get ready for career opportunities in New York

Cons of moving from DC to New York

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the historical landmarks in DC to live with a fast-paced lifestyle in New York
  • You'll lose out on the pro of green parks like Rock Creek and have to settle for the con of the concrete jungle feel
  • Time to bid farewell to the less crowded metro and get used to a busier subway system in New York
  • Swap the diverse diplomatic presence for higher noise levels

DC vs. New York: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonDCNew York
Most iconic local food itemHalf-SmokeBagels
Most popular meat dishMumbo Sauce WingsPastrami on Rye
Most popular street food itemJumbo SliceHot Dogs
Most popular vegan foodVegan ChiliSeitan Sandwich
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Zaytinya
  • Rosa's Thai Cafe
  • Katz's Delicatessen
  • Per Se
  • Dominique Ansel Bakery
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 York, you will be trading the iconic Half-Smoke of DC for the equally delicious Bagels of New York. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo Sauce Wings and sumptuous Jumbo Slice, New York residents know they have tasty Pastrami on Rye and Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Chili they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Sandwich of New York. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Rosa's Thai Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in New York, don't wait too long before making your way to New York's acclaimed eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Per Se, and Dominique Ansel Bakery.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and New York

ComparisonDCNew York
Typical Architecture StyleFederal and VictorianArt Deco and Modern
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 listingGreen spaces, Metro accessProximity to transit, Views
  • The Federal and Victorian architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Art Deco and Modern architecture typical of New York.
  • Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference green spaces and metro access, New York real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to transit and views.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New York is more walkable than DC.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New York is more bike-friendly than DC.
  • New York has more of an urban feel than DC.
  • New York housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $460,812 compared to DC’s $619,320.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New York have increased 36% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
  • Rent in New York is 4.13% more expensive than in DC.

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

ComparisonDCNew York
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, FloodsHurricanes, Blizzards
Air QualityModerateModerate to Low
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/7185/68
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47/2939/26
Annual Rainfall (Inches)39.7450.35
Annual Snowfall (Inches)15.425.3
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from DC to New York. New York gets 10% more sunshine days than DC.
  • New York 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 hurricanes and blizzards in New York.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in New York is 4 degrees colder than in DC.
  • The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in DC.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in New York. New York receives 10.6 more inches of rain compared to DC.

Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and New York

ComparisonDCNew York
Avg. Household Income$101,027$79,557
Cost of Living Index140.1102.8
State Income Tax8.58.8
Avg. Property Tax0.550.87
Avg. Sales Tax6.08.5
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Education, HealthcareFinance, Healthcare, Media
AffluencePronouncedSignificant
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessVisiblePervasive
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New York tend to earn about 21% less than in DC
  • The COLI in New York will be 27% lower than what you are used to living in DC
  • The state income tax in NY is 8.8 compared to 8.5 in DC
  • The affluence in New York is significant compared to pronounced affluence in DC
  • The poverty level is high in New York compared to moderate poverty in DC
  • In terms of homelessness, it is visible in DC and pervasive in New York

Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. New York

ComparisonDCNew York
Political Make-upStrongly DemocraticLeans Democratic
Local PoliticsHighly engaged, Federal government focusDiverse, with significant state and city level engagement
ReligionVariety of religious institutionsDiverse religious communities
  • DC tends to lean strongly Democratic in its political climate
  • New York, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
  • New York's religious environment can be described as diverse religious communities
  • DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a variety of religious institutions

Education Guide When Moving from DC to New York

ComparisonDCNew York
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maryland
George Washington University
Howard University
New York University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsJanney Elementary School
Washington Mann Elementary School
Lafayette Elementary School
PS 77 Lower Lab School
PS 334 The Anderson School
PS 290 Manhattan New School
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDeal Middle School
Hardy Middle School
McKinley Middle School
MS 255 Salk School of Science
JHS 167 Robert F. Wagner
JHS 54 Booker T. Washington
Top 3 High SchoolsSchool Without Walls High School
Banneker High School
McKinley Technology High School
Stuyvesant High School
Bronx High School of Science
Brooklyn Technical High School
Top 3 private high schoolsSidwell Friends School
Georgetown Day School
St. Albans School
Horace Mann School
Collegiate School
Trinity School
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsMaret School
Sidwell Friends School
St. Albans School
Horace Mann School
Collegiate School
Trinity School
Top 3 School DistrictsDistrict of Columbia Public SchoolsNew York City Department of Education

How Much Do DC to New York Movers Cost?

Moving 432 miles from DC to New York 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 - $4,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,230300 ft3$4.10
1 Bedroom$1,826450 ft3$4.06
2 Bedrooms$3,012750 ft3$4.02
3 Bedrooms$4,3711100 ft3$3.97
4 Bedrooms$6,2901600 ft3$3.93
5+ Bedrooms$6,9991800 ft3$3.89

Top DC to New York Movers

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

TOP PICK
JP Urban Moving featured image

JP Urban Moving

Best moving company overall for DC to New York

9.85/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Metropolis Moving featured image

Metropolis Moving

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details